Lemons and limes market in New Zealand, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the New Zealand lemons and limes market experienced significant fluctuations in both volume and value. The market volume grew from 4 823 t to 6 078 t, while the market value increased from 10 709 thousand US dollars to 12 298 thousand US dollars. The early period saw relative stability, but the COVID-19 pandemic impacted global supply chains in 2020 and 2021, leading to a notable contraction in market volume to 4 091 t in 2021. This disruption affected the availability of fruit and contributed to a drop in market value.

Market recovery began in 2022, with volume jumping to 5 593 t and value reaching 11 611 thousand US dollars. This rebound occurred despite persistent global supply chain challenges. In 2023, the market continued to expand to 6 078 t, even as adverse weather conditions in key global growing regions contributed to a slight worldwide production decrease, which may have influenced international trade flows and prices.

Throughout the period, the market was shaped by broader global trends rather than specific local regulatory changes. Factors such as fluctuations in worldwide harvested area, yield patterns, and ongoing macroeconomic conditions played a role in the market's dynamics, affecting both domestic production and trade.

Production lemons and limes in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2018-2021

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

In 2019, New Zealand's production of lemons and limes reached its peak at 6 321 tonnes. The following year, output fell to its lowest point of 6 100 tonnes, marking a 3.5% decline. In 2021, production recovered slightly to 6 208 tonnes, representing a modest 1.8% increase compared to 2020.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2019, the value of lemon and lime production in New Zealand peaked at 11 960 thousand US dollars. The following year, it dropped to its lowest level of 10 392 thousand US dollars, a significant 13.1% decrease. In 2021, the value rebounded to 11 179 thousand US dollars, showing a 7.6% gain from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 6.9%, averaging an annual increase of 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports lemons and limes from New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, New Zealand's exports of lemons and limes reached their highest volume at 3 339 tonnes. The following year, exports fell to their lowest point of 2 660 tonnes, a sharp 20.3% decline. In 2021, exports recovered to 3 080 tonnes, marking a 15.8% increase compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export volumes decreased by 2.3%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan was the leading market for New Zealand's lemon and lime exports in volume terms, accounting for 56.3% of total shipments. The United States followed with 19.0%, and China with 14.8%. Together, these three markets represented 90.1% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, the value of New Zealand's lemon and lime exports peaked at 6 317 thousand US dollars. The following year, it dropped to its lowest point of 4 532 thousand US dollars, a substantial 28.3% decrease. In 2021, export value rebounded to 5 547 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 22.4% year-on-year increase. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export value grew by 3.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Japan was the primary buyer of New Zealand's lemons and limes in value terms, representing 59.5% of total exports. The United States accounted for 16.9%, and China for 14.7%. Collectively, these three markets made up 91.1% of all export value.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

In 2019, New Zealand's imports of lemons and limes reached their highest volume at 1 921 tonnes, marking a 6.8% increase from the previous year. Imports then declined for two consecutive years, falling to 963 tonnes in 2021, which represents a 33.3% drop from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import volumes decreased by 46.5%, with an average annual decline of 18.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was overwhelmingly dominant as the source of New Zealand's lemon and lime imports in volume terms, accounting for 94.8% of total shipments.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

New Zealand's imports of lemons and limes in value terms declined for three consecutive years. In 2021, imports reached 3 231 thousand US dollars, representing an 18.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import value fell by 42.2%, with an average annual decline of 16.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States played a leading role in New Zealand's lemon and lime imports in value terms, accounting for 89.8% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other trading partners.

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

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