Market research

Lemons and limes market in SADC

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"SADC" region includes following countries:

Angola

Botswana

Comoros

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Eswatini

Lesotho

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Seychelles

South Africa

Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The lemons and limes market in SADC showed strong growth from 2018 to 2023, with production increasing from 568.5 thousand tons to 929.1 thousand tons. The start of the citrus season in South Africa, which emphasized efficient transportation to maintain product freshness, supported logistical efficiency for the market. Domestic consumption, measured as market size, rose from 260.4 thousand tons to 369.9 thousand tons, reflecting expanded local demand alongside rising exports.

Market volume experienced fluctuations, notably a decline to 275.8 thousand tons in 2021 before rebounding to 339.6 thousand tons in 2022 and 369.9 thousand tons in 2023. Exports grew consistently over the period, reaching 563.2 thousand tons in 2023, underscoring the region's export-oriented production structure. In value terms, the market grew from $222.9 million to $243.0 million, with variations influenced by changing price levels for the fruit.

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, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    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, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in SADC
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2018-2023, K t
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. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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, 2018-2024
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 SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Lemons and limes production in SADC has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, SADC produced 745.4 thousand tons of lemons and limes, marking a significant 22.9% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 39.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 11.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.1%	6.7%	22.9%	11.6%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

SADC's lemons and limes production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output of lemons and limes was valued at 620.6 million US dollars in SADC, representing a 26.9% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 18%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 484.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.9%)	1.0%	26.9%	5.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports lemons and limes from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

Lemons and limes shipments from SADC to abroad have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 453.8 thousand tons, showing a sharp rise of 29.4% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 52.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.5%	11.4%	29.4%	15.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for lemons and limes exports from SADC. The Netherlands accounted for 15.0% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates for 13.9%, and Saudi Arabia for 10.0%, with these three countries together representing only 38.9% of total exports in kind. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

SADC's lemons and limes export volume has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, SADC exported 377.8 million US dollars worth of lemons and limes, reflecting an uptick of 33.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 29.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 268.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.3%)	5.5%	33.6%	8.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, lemons and limes from SADC were traded with many countries. Even the largest destinations—the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia—together represented only 37.1% of total exports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports lemons and limes to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, lemons and limes deliveries to SADC reached 3.9 thousand tons, constituting a 4.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3.7 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 43.6%. In contrast, the highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6.6 thousand tons, which experienced the largest increase of 48.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	48.8%	(43.6%)	4.2%	(4.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for lemons and limes imports into SADC. Egypt accounted for 10.8% of imports in kind, Portugal for 5.9%, and Spain for 3.1%, with these three countries together representing only 19.8% of total imports in kind. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

The volume of lemons and limes imports into SADC declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, SADC imported approximately 5.0 million US dollars worth of lemons and limes, representing a solid decrease of 14.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21.1%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 7.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.3%	(10.4%)	(14.7%)	(7.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017 to 2020, lemons and limes were supplied to SADC from many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Egypt, Spain, and Portugal—together represented only 20.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io