Lemons and limes market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for lemons and limes in Tanzania remained relatively stable from 2018 to 2023, fluctuating between 10 000 and 10 700 tons. The market experienced a moderate decline in 2019 and 2020, reaching a low of 10 031 tons in 2020, followed by recovery in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, the market volume slightly contracted to 10 468 tons.

Production, as the main component of the market, followed a similar trajectory, decreasing from 10 226 tons in 2018 to 9 900 tons in 2020 before recovering to over 10 400 tons in subsequent years. Imports fell substantially from 404 tons in 2018 to just 49 tons in 2023, while exports remained minimal. This indicates that domestic production increasingly met demand during this period.

Production lemons and limes in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

Tanzania's production of lemons and limes has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 9 900 tonnes, showing a slight year-on-year decrease of 1.0%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 4.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Tanzania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports lemons and limes from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania exported 1.3 tonnes of lemons and limes, representing a sharp drop of 68.1% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Comoros accounted for 78.8% of Tanzania's total lemon and lime exports by volume. The remaining exports were distributed among several other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

In 2020, Tanzania's lemon and lime exports totaled 572 US dollars, marking a steep decline of 38.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 46.3%, which corresponds to an average annual rate of decline of 18.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Comoros and Iran were the key partners for Tanzania's lemon and lime exports in value terms, together representing 87.8% of total export flows. Other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania imported 131.8 tonnes of lemons and limes, a decrease of 39.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 403.9 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 45.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 257.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania's imports of lemons and limes were heavily dependent on Kenya, which supplied 92.3% of the total volume.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import values dropped to their minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, with a 2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania's imports of lemons and limes amounted to 17 745 US dollars, representing a robust drop of 22.3% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 11 332 US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 22 835 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 33.4%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 101.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, South Africa and Kenya together accounted for 89.3% of Tanzania's total lemon and lime imports by value. The remaining share was distributed among other destinations, each with smaller individual contributions.

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

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