Lemons and limes market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Lebanese lemons and limes market showed considerable volatility in volume. Starting at 80 248 tons in 2018, the market size gradually contracted to a low of 68 507 tons in 2021, before partially recovering to 75 317 tons in 2022 and declining again to 71 370 tons in 2023.

In 2020, economic and political crises in Lebanon triggered a sharp spike in lemon prices, exceeding 9 000 Lebanese pounds per kilogram, which made the fruit a scarce and costly commodity. This period coincided with a reduction in market volume to 76 166 tons and a notable increase in exports, which reached 3 778 tons. Historically, Lebanon had been an exporter of lemons to Arab countries, but the crises negatively impacted both production and trade flows.

Domestic production of lemons and limes fluctuated throughout the period, peaking at 80 665 tons in 2018 and falling to a low of 71 412 tons in 2023. Imports, which had risen to 2 454 tons in 2019, subsequently diminished, while exports peaked at 4 450 tons in 2021, contributing to tighter domestic supply that year.

Production lemons and limes in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Lebanon was one of the world's top producers of lemons and limes, ranking 20th globally by production volume.

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

After two years of decline, lemon and lime production in Lebanon rebounded in 2020, reaching 79.4 thousand tons. This marked a 1.8% increase from the previous year. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, production fell by 23.6%, with an average annual decline of 8.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 78.0 thousand tons, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 22.4% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports lemons and limes from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The export market for lemons and limes from Lebanon showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. Export volumes fluctuated dramatically, with a 7.8-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018. In 2020, exports totaled 3 778 tons, representing a sharp year-over-year increase of 111.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 487 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 45.1%. Conversely, the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 267.5% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait were Lebanon's primary export partners for lemons and limes in volume terms. Saudi Arabia accounted for 34.6% of exports, Jordan for 27.2%, and Kuwait for 14.1%. Together, these three countries represented 76.0% of Lebanon's total lemon and lime exports during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Lebanon's lemon and lime exports exhibited considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. Export values varied by 2.7 times from the peak in 2020 to the trough in 2018. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 556 thousand US dollars, showing a sudden 54.6% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 569 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 39.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 76.9% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait were the main buyers of Lebanese lemons and limes in value terms. Saudi Arabia represented 33.6% of export value, Jordan 20.8%, and Kuwait 12.9%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 67.3% of Lebanon's total lemon and lime export revenue over these years.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon's imports of lemons and lines were highly volatile from 2017 to 2020. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a 35-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 511 tons, showing a sharp 79.2% decline from the previous year. The minimum import volume was 70 tons in 2018, while the maximum was 2 454 tons in 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a dramatic 3 422.3% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria was by far the most important source of lemon and lime imports for Lebanon, accounting for 87.5% of total import volume. Other countries played a much smaller role in Lebanon's import market during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Lebanon's lemon and lime imports showed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. Import values peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 9.4-fold difference. In 2020, imports were valued at 309 thousand US dollars, representing an abrupt 66.9% drop from the previous year. The minimum value was 99 thousand US dollars in 2018, while the maximum was 933 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 69.3% decrease, and the biggest increase was in 2019 with an 844.4% surge.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria dominated Lebanon's lemon and lime imports in value terms, accounting for 72.1% of total import value. The remaining imports were spread across various other markets, each with relatively small shares.

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

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