Lemons and limes market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the lemons and limes market in Northern Africa started from a base of 819 thousand tons. The following year, market volume declined to 800 thousand tons, even as Moroccan production increased by 9.3% due to expanded cultivation area and yield improvements, indicating challenges in other parts of the region.

From 2020 onward, the market entered a growth phase, reaching 937 thousand tons by 2023. This expansion was primarily driven by a consecutive decline in lemon exports from Morocco over four years, which redirected more fruit to domestic consumption. Concurrently, Morocco faced a six-year drought that pressured agricultural output, but the country's shift toward drought-resistant citrus varieties and enhanced water management policies helped mitigate production losses.

Production lemons and limes in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

Following two years of decline, lemon and lime production in Northern Africa rebounded. In 2020, the region produced 908.1 thousand tons, marking a modest 7.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 846.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual decline of 1.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of lemon and lime production in Northern Africa reached 900.1 million US dollars, representing a 17.9% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 14.6%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 763.4 million US dollars, which experienced the largest annual decline of 3.8%.

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

Exports lemons and limes from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Northern Africa's lemon and lime exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 57 052 tons, reflecting a 22.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports expanded by 41.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 36 961 tons, which saw an 8.4% decline. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 25.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Mauritania were the main destinations for Northern Africa's lemon and lime exports in volume terms. Saudi Arabia accounted for 29.4% of exports, Russia for 15.9%, and Mauritania for 8.0%. Together, these three countries absorbed 53.3% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Northern Africa's lemon and lime exports in value terms increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 56 546 thousand US dollars, showing a 34.7% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 53.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 34 269 thousand US dollars, which experienced a 7.2% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Jordan formed the key group of partners for Northern Africa's lemon and lime exports in value terms. Saudi Arabia accounted for 34.1% of export value, Russia for 13.8%, and Jordan for 8.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 56.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, lemon and lime imports into Northern Africa amounted to 818 tons, indicating a sharp 214.2% increase from the previous year. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 26.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for lemon and lime imports in volume terms was diverse. Spain accounted for 28.4% of imports, France for 3.5%, and South Africa for 3.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 34.9% of total import flows, while the remaining 65.1% came from many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Import values dropped to their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, lemon and lime imports into Northern Africa reached 838 thousand US dollars, showing a steep 153.7% increase relative to the prior year. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, France, and South Africa were among the largest suppliers of lemons and limes to Northern Africa in value terms. Spain accounted for 29.0% of import value, France for 6.4%, and South Africa for 3.8%. However, even combined, these three countries represented just 39.2% of total imports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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