Market research

Lemons and limes market in Mexico

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Mexican lemon and lime market volume grew from 2.1 million tonnes to 2.4 million tonnes. This expansion was supported by estimated increases in production and the export advantages provided by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly boosted demand for lemons for domestic consumption and pharmaceutical use, contributing to an 11.5% surge in market volume that year.

Market volume declined to 2.2 million tonnes in 2021 despite record production, as the USMCA trade agreement accelerated exports to the United States. Recovery followed in 2022 and 2023, with volumes reaching 2.6 million tonnes. Historically high lemon prices in early 2022 resulted from strong U.S. demand and limited supply, while challenges like huanglongbing (HLB) disease in lime crops and extortion by drug cartels increased production costs. By 2023, expanded cultivation area and phytosanitary improvements drove further production growth, consolidating Michoacán and Veracruz as the leading producing regions.

Preliminary data for 2024 point to continued export strength and market diversification into countries such as Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Japan.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Mexico
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Mexico, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Mexico, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Mexico, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Mexico, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production lemons and limes in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico held the second position globally in lemon and lime production.

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of lemons and limes, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Mexico's lemon and lime production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 2 984 K t of lemons and limes, marking a 3.6% rise from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 17.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.0%	6.6%	3.6%	5.4%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the value of lemon and lime output in Mexico was 2 767 M $ US, representing a significant 14.0% decrease compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production value fell by 7%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 3 216 M $ US, with the largest increase of 12.2% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.7%)	12.2%	(14.0%)	(2.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports lemons and limes from Mexico

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Mexico's lemon and lime export volume reached 758.2 K t, up 67.2% from 2020. Over the period 2018-2021, exports increased by 62.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 453.5 K t, which saw the largest decline of 14.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.8%	(14.0%)	67.2%	17.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico's lemon and lime exports in kind were almost entirely directed to the United States, accounting for 95.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, lemon and lime exports from Mexico amounted to 703.2 M $ US, a 38.8% increase over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value rose by 28.7%, with a CAGR of 8.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 506.7 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 9.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.5%	(9.5%)	38.8%	8.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018–2021, the United States was the primary partner for Mexico's lemon and lime exports in value terms, representing 95.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports lemons and limes to Mexico

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Mexico's lemon and lime import volume was 2.7 K t, showing little change from 2020. Over the period 2018-2021, imports decreased by 10.1%, with a CAGR of -3.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	(3.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the United States and Argentina were the main suppliers of lemons and limes to Mexico, together comprising 100.0% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Mexico imported 2.8 M $ US worth of lemons and limes, remaining broadly stable compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import value fell by 35.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	(13.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018–2021, the United States, with 80.2% of total flows, and Argentina, with 19.8%, were the key markets for Mexico's lemon and lime imports in value terms, together accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io