Market research

Lemons and limes market in Saudi Arabia

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The market for lemons and limes in Saudi Arabia experienced substantial fluctuations in volume from 2018 to 2023, starting at 100.1 thousand tons and reaching 171.0 thousand tons by the end of the period. This overall growth was not linear, with the market size more than doubling to 197.2 thousand tons in 2020 before undergoing a significant correction in 2023.

A sharp rise in imports to 147.5 thousand tons was a key driver behind the market peak in 2020, supporting a total volume of 197.2 thousand tons. Domestic production also grew steadily over these years, increasing from 51.7 thousand tons to 118.0 thousand tons by 2023, which helped offset the subsequent import volatility. The market reached its highest point at 223.3 thousand tons in 2022, followed by a notable contraction to 171.0 thousand tons in 2023 as imports fell by more than half.

Preliminary trade data for 2024 shows a rebound in imports to 142.3 thousand tons, while exports also increased to 10.8 thousand tons. The full market volume for 2024 will depend on the domestic production figures for that year.

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. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Saudi Arabia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in value, 2018-2023, $ US
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 Saudi Arabia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia ranked 30th globally in lemon and lime production volume.

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Saudi Arabia produced 57 200 tonnes of lemons and limes, marking a 10.6% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a minimal change of 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.0%	-	10.6%	4.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports lemons and limes from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 4.5 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Saudi Arabia's lemon and lime exports totaled 7.5 thousand tonnes, up 30.0% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 76.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(76.3%)	27.5%	30.0%	(26.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Yemen, and Bahrain were the main destinations for Saudi Arabia's lemon and lime exports in kind. Kuwait accounted for 48.6% of exports, Yemen for 15.9%, and Bahrain for 14.6%, together absorbing 79.2% of total exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Saudi Arabia's lemon and lime export volume in value terms amounted to 4.2 million US dollars, down 30.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 44.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.9%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 30.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 15.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(30.9%)	15.8%	(30.7%)	(17.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Yemen formed the key group of partners for Saudi Arabia's lemon and lime exports in value terms. Kuwait represented 50.8% of exports, Bahrain 15.4%, and Yemen 13.1%, jointly accounting for 79.3% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports lemons and limes to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 52.9 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020, showing a 2.8-fold fluctuation. In 2020, Saudi Arabia's lemon and lime imports amounted to 147.5 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp increase of 99.1% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 59.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(59.0%)	40.1%	99.1%	4.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Turkey, and Egypt remained the main sources for Saudi Arabia's lemon and lime imports in kind. South Africa accounted for 40.0% of imports, Turkey for 27.0%, and Egypt for 19.6%, together taking 86.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Saudi Arabia's lemon and lime import volume in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 109.8 million US dollars, up 24.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 42.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 75.0 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 2.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.6%)	17.7%	24.4%	12.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Turkey, and Egypt played leading roles in Saudi Arabia's lemon and lime imports in value terms. South Africa represented 49.4% of imports, Turkey 19.1%, and Egypt 16.3%, jointly accounting for 84.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io