Lemons and limes market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the lemons and limes market in MERCOSUR contracted, with production falling from 3 538 thousand tons to 2 794 thousand tons and market volume dropping from 3 163 thousand tons to 2 412 thousand tons. This downward trend reversed decisively in 2021.

The recovery and subsequent growth from 2021 to 2023 were primarily fueled by the export sector. Brazilian exports reached record levels, boosted by high international demand, a favorable exchange rate, and access to new markets such as Chile. Concurrently, challenges in competing exporting countries like Mexico and Colombia increased global demand for MERCOSUR lemons. The planted area continued to expand, supported by consumer preference for the Tahiti lime, which is associated with health benefits.

Despite facing phytosanitary barriers that temporarily halted exports to Europe and dealing with drought conditions that affected fruit quality in 2022, the market demonstrated resilience. Ongoing investments in agricultural technology and high productivity in key regions like São Paulo contributed to sustaining output growth through 2023.

Production lemons and limes in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

MERCOSUR's production of lemons and limes has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 794 thousand tons, which represents a 14.0% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 7.4%, with an average annual decline of 2.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 538 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 17.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of lemons and limes production in MERCOSUR also dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2 143 million US dollars, marking an 18.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value declined by 28.4%, translating to an average annual decrease of 10.5%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 3 383 million US dollars, which saw a 13.0% increase that year. However, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 22.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in MERCOSUR in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports lemons and limes from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, MERCOSUR's exports of lemons and limes reached 388.3 thousand tons, showing a 10.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 11.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The only decline during this period was recorded in 2019, when exports fell by 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the top destination for MERCOSUR's lemons and limes exports in volume terms, accounting for 28.3% of the total. Spain followed with 13.9%, and Russia with 13.5%. Together, these three countries represented 55.7% of all exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of lemons and limes exports from MERCOSUR amounted to 297.9 million US dollars, a 5.3% increase from the previous year. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 13.6%, with an average annual decline of 4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 282.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 22.0%. In contrast, 2018 had the highest value at 363.0 million US dollars, with a 5.3% increase that year.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands remained the leading partner for MERCOSUR's lemons and limes exports in value terms, representing 27.6% of the total. Spain accounted for 15.0%, and Russia for 12.4%. Collectively, these three countries made up 55.0% of all export value.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, K t

MERCOSUR's imports of lemons and limes increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 6.3 thousand tons. This represents a significant 33.2% rise compared to 2019. Despite this recent growth, imports decreased by 8.2% overall between 2017 and 2020, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 4.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 33.7% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Chile, and Bolivia were the three main sources of lemons and limes imports to MERCOSUR in volume terms, together accounting for 39.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, MERCOSUR's imports of lemons and limes rebounded in 2020, reaching 7.2 million US dollars. This represents a 24.9% increase compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 10.2%, with an average annual decline of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5.8 million US dollars, while 2018 saw the largest decline of 24.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain was the principal supplier of lemons and limes to MERCOSUR in value terms, accounting for 40.8% of imports. Chile followed with 14.1%, and Bolivia with 4.6%. Together, these three countries represented 59.5% of total import value.

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

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