Lemons and limes market in Mozambique

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the Mozambican lemon and lime market remained relatively stable, with volumes fluctuating around 3 200 t per year. Government-backed programs, such as the fruit massification initiative supported by the Agrarian Development Fund and the entry of private processor Afrifruta, aimed to enhance production and agro-processing. However, post-harvest losses estimated at 30-50% due to limited investment in processing infrastructure consistently constrained market expansion. The launch of the National Agrarian Sector Investment Plan (PNISA II) in 2022 emphasized improving fruit production and processing, but high inflation that year affected consumer purchasing power, contributing to flat demand.

In 2023, market volume jumped sharply to 5 217 t, driven primarily by a surge in imports. Mozambique's deeper integration into regional value chains, especially with South Africa, facilitated trade and market access, leading to significantly higher import flows. This integration expanded supply despite domestic production remaining near 3 000 t.

Production lemons and limes in Mozambique

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

Mozambique's production of lemons and limes saw a two-year decline before increasing again. In 2020, the country produced 3 158 tonnes, marking a slight gain of 2.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 2.3%, which translates to a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 085 tonnes, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 2.4%.

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

Exports lemons and limes from Mozambique

Exports in kind, t

The export market for lemons and limes from Mozambique showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 6.2-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Mozambique exported 0.6 tonnes, representing a 41.1% decline from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1.2 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase at 520.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique's exports of lemons and limes were distributed across a wide range of markets. The Marshall Islands accounted for 18.4% of exports, Denmark for 14.6%, and Singapore for 11.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 44.7% of total export flows, with the remaining 55.3% shared among numerous other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Mozambique's lemon and lime exports exhibited considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, showing a fluctuation of 4.1 times between these years. In 2020, export volumes amounted to 1.1 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 50.9% decline compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2.5 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase at 308.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mozambique's lemon and lime exports in value terms were spread across a broad market base. The Marshall Islands accounted for 14.0% of export value, Singapore for 13.2%, and Denmark for 11.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented just 38.5% of total export flows, with the remaining 61.5% distributed among many other nations.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Mozambique

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, Mozambique's imports of lemons and limes increased. In 2020, the country imported approximately 140.6 tonnes, which is 69.9% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall imports decreased by 13.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 82.7 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline at 30.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was overwhelmingly the main source for Mozambique's imports of lemons and limes, accounting for 99.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year reduction, Mozambique's imports of lemons and limes in value terms increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 155.1 thousand US dollars, which is 49.2% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 103.9 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline at 29.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa dominated Mozambique's imports of lemons and limes in value terms, accounting for 99.9% of total import flows.

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

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