Lemons and limes market in Oman

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Oman's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries signed an agreement with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization to launch a research project aimed at boosting citrus productivity and quality. This initiative focused on producing pest-free citrus varieties, developing 12 new Omani citrus types including three kinds of Omani lemon, and establishing a reliable system for sapling propagation. These efforts laid the groundwork for subsequent increases in domestic lemon and lime production, which rose from 7 112 t in 2018 to 9 189 t by 2023.

The physical market volume for lemons and limes in Oman grew from 22 621 t in 2018 to a peak of 27 051 t in 2021, supported by rising domestic output and substantial imports. In value terms, the market expanded even more markedly, from $17.5 million to $30.1 million by 2023, reflecting shifts in prices or consumption patterns alongside the production improvements initiated earlier.

After 2021, the market's physical volume contracted to 24 177 t in 2022 and 23 265 t in 2023, while its value continued to grow, reaching $30.1 million. This period coincided with a significant reduction in import volumes, suggesting the market adjusted through changing supply sources and price levels.

Production lemons and limes in Oman

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

Oman's production of lemons and limes has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 8 389 tonnes, representing a significant 16.7% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 32.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Oman's lemons and limes production value declined in 2020. The output was valued at 6 108 thousand US dollars, a sharp drop of 13.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value increased by 18.2%, averaging 5.7% per year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 055 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 19.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Oman in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports lemons and limes from Oman

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Oman exported 1 970 tonnes of lemons and limes, up 28.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 49.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 979 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 49.8%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest decline of 22.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia were the top destinations for Oman's lemons and limes exports by volume. Qatar accounted for 41.5% of exports, the UAE for 15.9%, and Saudi Arabia for 14.3%. Together, these three countries represented 71.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Oman's lemons and limes export value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 1 434 thousand US dollars, a moderate decrease of 4.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 33.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 650 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 53.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.9% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were the leading markets for Oman's lemons and limes by value. Qatar made up 50.2% of exports, Saudi Arabia 11.4%, and the UAE 11.2%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 72.8% of total export value, solidifying their position as the main destinations.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Oman

Imports in kind, t

Oman's imports of lemons and limes increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 20 354 tonnes, a 6.7% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 80.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa were the primary suppliers of lemons and limes to Oman by volume. Vietnam contributed 30.9% of imports, the UAE 30.7%, and South Africa 9.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.0% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Oman's import value for lemons and limes rose for the third year in a row in 2020, totaling 21 907 thousand US dollars, a steep increase of 44.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 193.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 43.2%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa were the key sources for Oman's lemons and limes imports by value. Vietnam accounted for 34.9% of imports, the UAE for 29.9%, and South Africa for 9.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 74.1% of total import flows.

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

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