Market research

Lemons and limes market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for lemons and limes in Sub-Saharan Africa increased from 424 thousand tons to 646 thousand tons, reflecting overall growth despite annual fluctuations. In value terms, the market size varied from $350.6 million in 2019 to $425.9 million in 2023, with a peak of $445.3 million in 2020.

The market experienced a notable surge in 2020, when volume jumped by 105 thousand tons to 535 thousand tons, followed by a contraction in 2021 to 487 thousand tons. Recovery began in 2022, with volume reaching 541 thousand tons, and accelerated in 2023 to 646 thousand tons. Production consistently rose over the period, from 732 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 201 thousand tons in 2023, supporting both export growth and domestic availability.

In 2024, key factors shaping the market included the expansion of lemon and lime plantation areas in South Africa, a major producer, which bolstered export volumes and domestic supply. Concurrently, consumer trends toward health-consciousness and demand for vitamin C-rich fruits continued to influence consumption patterns across the region. Import volume rose to 11 thousand tons, while exports adjusted to 526 thousand tons.

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 Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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 Sub-Saharan Africa

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 Sub-Saharan Africa has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 983.8 thousand tons, which represents a significant 26.8% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 44.2%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 13.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.3%	6.1%	26.8%	13.0%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's lemons and limes production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 814.4 million US dollars, marking a substantial 30.3% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 622.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.7%)	0.3%	30.3%	6.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports lemons and limes from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Lemons and limes exports from Sub-Saharan Africa have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 457.3 thousand tons, reflecting a 29.8% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 52.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.1%	11.4%	29.8%	15.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of lemons and limes from Sub-Saharan Africa were not heavily concentrated in a few key markets. The top three destinations—the Netherlands (14.8% of exports in kind), the United Arab Emirates (14.1%), and Saudi Arabia (9.9%)—together accounted for only 38.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's lemons and limes exports have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 378.5 million US dollars worth of lemons and limes, showing a sharp rise of 33.5% over the past year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 28.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 269.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.5%)	5.4%	33.5%	8.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, lemons and limes from Sub-Saharan Africa were exported to a diverse range of markets. The Netherlands (15.5% of exports in value terms), the United Arab Emirates (12.5%), and Saudi Arabia (9.1%) together made up only 37.1% of total exports, while many smaller destinations accounted for the remaining 62.9%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports lemons and limes to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, lemons and limes imports into Sub-Saharan Africa totalled 8.3 thousand tons, up by 36.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 14%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 6.1 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 31.3%, while the highest volume was in 2018 at 8.9 thousand tons.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	21.5%	(31.3%)	36.7%	4.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports of lemons and limes into Sub-Saharan Africa were widely dispersed across partner countries. Egypt (6.6% of imports in kind), Portugal (5.7%), and Spain (3.9%) together represented only 16.1% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of lemons and limes imports into Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 9.4 million US dollars, marking a slight uptick of 2.6% versus the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 9.2 million US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 14.1%, while the highest value was in 2018 at 10.7 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 9.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.7%	(14.1%)	2.6%	(1.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

The market base for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad, with Egypt (9.4% of imports in value terms), Portugal (9.4%), and Spain (8.7%) jointly accounting for just 27.5% of total flows. The remaining 72.5% was shared by numerous other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io