Lemons and limes market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for lemons and limes in Sudan grew consistently from 309 thousand tons in 2018 to 397 thousand tons in 2023, reflecting an increase of over 28% across the six-year period. Annual production rose each year, driving the market expansion as imports remained absent and exports were negligible.

This sustained production growth was facilitated by the broadening geographic cultivation of lemon trees across Sudan. Lemon farming expanded into a wide variety of soils and lands along the Nile strip, as well as areas adjacent to the White and Blue Niles, Gezira State, Kordofan, and Jebel Marra, which supported higher output volumes throughout the years.

Production lemons and limes in Sudan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan ranked 13th globally in lemon and lime production.

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

Sudan's lemon and lime production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 340.7 thousand tonnes, a modest 5.0% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 21.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 6.6%.

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

Exports lemons and limes from Sudan

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed an unstable trend over this period. They dropped to a low of 280 tonnes in 2019, then surged to a peak of 1 846 tonnes in 2020, marking a 6.6-fold increase. The 2020 figure represented a dramatic 559.5% rise compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 32.3% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of Sudanese lemons and limes by volume were Ethiopia (40.5% of exports), the United Arab Emirates (23.6%), and Iraq (21.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 85.4% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sudan's lemon and lime export earnings grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 938.3 thousand US dollars, a sharp 128.1% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 163.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 38.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading buyers by value were Iraq (35.8% of exports), the United Arab Emirates (29.6%), and Ethiopia (19.3%). Combined, these three markets made up 84.8% of total export earnings.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Sudan

Imports in kind, t

Sudan imported 1 tonne of lemons and limes in 2019, showing little change from 2018. Over the 2017-2019 period, imports fell by 92.2%, with an average annual decline of 57.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated Sudan's lemon and lime imports by volume, accounting for 72.8% of the total, while numerous smaller partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Sudan's lemon and lime imports were valued at 1.3 thousand US dollars, remaining steady compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, import value dropped by 93.9%, with an average annual decrease of 60.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the primary supplier of lemons and limes to Sudan in value terms, holding 72.3% of total imports, with the rest distributed among many other countries.

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

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