Lemons and limes market in Kuwait

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the lemon and lime market in Kuwait expanded by 28%, reaching 32 002 t. This growth coincided with local and global inflationary pressures, including reduced world stocks that pushed up prices. The need to secure supply likely drove higher import volumes, which rose from 27 849 t in 2018 to 31 985 t in 2020.

After peaking in 2020, market volume fell by 14% in 2021 and then dropped sharply by 35% in 2022 to 17 730 t, as imports contracted significantly during this period.

The market rebounded strongly in 2023, surging 66% to 29 505 t as imports recovered to near-2020 levels. By 2024, import volumes jumped further to 39 765 t, while food markets in Kuwait experienced sustained rises in vegetable and fruit prices, indicating shifts in consumer behavior and supply-demand dynamics.

Production lemons and limes in Kuwait

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

World map of production of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

Kuwait produced 200.0 t of lemons and limes in 2020, marking a 27.1% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 20.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 157.3 t, while the highest was in 2018 at 278.9 t. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 43.6%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 68.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kuwait in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports lemons and limes from Kuwait

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Export levels fluctuated significantly, with a 236-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019. In 2020, Kuwait's exports of lemons and limes reached 182 t, representing a substantial increase of 671.1% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 24 t, which also saw the largest decline of 99.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kuwait in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq remained the dominant export partner for Kuwait's lemons and limes in kind, accounting for 87.7% of total flows. Other markets collectively formed a long tail in the export structure.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kuwait in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated volatility over the observed period. Exports varied widely, with a 152-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Kuwait's lemons and limes shipments abroad amounted to 73 K $ US, showing a significant increase of 566.1% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 11 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 98.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kuwait in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, Iraq played the leading role in exports in value terms, holding an 83.7% share of total flows. Other markets together accounted for the remaining portion.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kuwait in value, 2017-2020

Imports lemons and limes to Kuwait

Imports in kind, t

The volume of lemons and limes imports into Kuwait increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 31 985 t, reflecting a modest increase of 5.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 27 849 t, which also saw the largest decline of 23.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 8.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kuwait in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—South Africa, Turkey, and Egypt—remained central to Kuwait's imports in kind, collectively accounting for 79.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kuwait in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign supplies of lemons and limes to Kuwait increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 25 361 K $ US, which is 14.4% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 21 009 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 20.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kuwait in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over 2017–2020, South Africa (with 51.9% of imports in value terms), Turkey (15.9%), and Egypt (10.2%) consistently held leading positions in Kuwait's import structure in value terms. Together, these three markets accounted for 78.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kuwait in value, 2017-2020