Lemons and limes market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the lemons and limes market volume in Southern Europe experienced notable volatility, declining from a high of 1 276 thousand tons in 2018 to a low of 1 050 thousand tons in 2022 before surging to 1 374 thousand tons in 2023. This pattern was partly shaped by global market conditions, such as the post-2018 peak softening noted in 2019, and by regional production shifts within Southern Europe itself.

The market contraction in 2022 coincided with a reported 7% reduction in global citrus production due to adverse weather conditions in major producing countries, which constrained supplies. This was reversed in 2023 by a significant expansion of lemon production in Spain, where output for the Fino variety was forecast to grow by up to 30%. Concurrently, Italian lemon exports gained momentum, opening new markets and improving competitiveness.

Underlying these movements were structural trends, including a steady increase in harvested area for lemons and limes in Spain since 2018 and growing consumer demand for organic lemons in Italy. These factors supported the market's productive capacity and evolving consumption patterns throughout the period.

Production lemons and limes in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Southern Europe's production of lemons and limes experienced its largest decline, dropping by 11.1%. However, by 2020, production rebounded significantly, reaching 1,691 thousand tons—a 17.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 17.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of lemons and limes production in Southern Europe saw its largest decline, falling by 19.3%. The following year, in 2020, output value rose strongly by 17.8% to reach 2,187 million US dollars. Looking at the broader trend from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 19.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 2,299 million US dollars, which also marked the largest increase of 25.9% during this period.

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

Exports lemons and limes from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2018, Southern Europe's exports of lemons and limes in volume terms hit their lowest point at 696.2 thousand tons, representing a 6.6% decline. Exports then rebounded, growing for two consecutive years. By 2020, exports reached 915.8 thousand tons, a 27.4% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export volumes rose by 22.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany was the top destination for Southern Europe's lemons and limes exports in volume terms, accounting for 27.9% of the total. France followed with 17.0%, and the United Kingdom with 9.3%. Together, these three countries represented 54.2% of all export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of lemons and limes exports from Southern Europe reached its minimum at 926 million US dollars, declining by 6.2%. The following year, in 2020, export value surged to 1,184 million US dollars, marking a 27.8% increase over 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 25.1%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany led as the primary destination for Southern Europe's lemons and limes exports in value terms, with a 31.8% share. France accounted for 18.1%, and the United Kingdom for 8.6%. Collectively, these three markets made up 58.4% of the total export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, imports of lemons and limes into Southern Europe in volume terms recorded their largest decline, falling by 5.2%. This was followed by another decrease in 2020, when imports dropped by 2.2% to 325.8 thousand tons. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import volumes increased by 13.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.3%. The peak volume was in 2018 at 351.4 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 22.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina was the leading supplier of lemons and limes to Southern Europe in volume terms, contributing 26.7% of imports. Turkey accounted for 13.4%, and South Africa for 9.7%. However, their combined share of 49.8% indicates that imports were not heavily concentrated among these three countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of lemons and limes imports into Southern Europe experienced its largest decline, dropping by 21.8%. The following year, in 2020, import value increased slightly by 0.8% to 361 million US dollars. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 457 million US dollars, which also marked the largest increase of 28.1% during this period.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that imports of lemons and limes into Southern Europe in value terms were not dominated by a few key sources. Argentina led with 28.5%, followed by South Africa at 9.9%, and Turkey at 8.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 47.2% of total import flows, reflecting a relatively diversified supply structure.

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

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