Lemons and limes market in the United Arab Emirates

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the UAE lemons and limes market volume expanded significantly, reaching 91.9 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was supported by a sharp increase in domestic production, which rose to 15.1 thousand tons, while imports also grew to 135.9 thousand tons.

After the peak, the market size contracted to 85.9 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 80.6 thousand tons in 2022, before stabilizing at 81.1 thousand tons in 2023. This period saw production volumes fall back to approximately 7.0 thousand tons, with imports remaining high but offset by rising exports.

In 2024, several factors influenced the market environment, including growing health recommendations in the UAE to drink lime water in the morning, which boosted demand for fresh limes, and a 30% growth in the local perfume industry, increasing demand for lemon essential oil used in fragrance production.

Production lemons and limes in the United Arab Emirates

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 4 847 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 15 136 tonnes in 2020, representing a 3.1-fold increase. This 2020 figure marked a dramatic 99.6% rise compared to 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 14.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports lemons and limes from the United Arab Emirates

Exports in kind, K t

Market behavior showed volatility across these years. Exports bottomed out in 2017, then peaked in 2020, with a 2.9-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, the United Arab Emirates exported 59.2 thousand tonnes of lemons and limes, reflecting a sharp 38.5% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 13.2%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2018, soaring by 142.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for exports in kind were Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Oman, which together accounted for 67.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Noticeable fluctuations marked market performance during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.5 times. In 2020, the United Arab Emirates exported 68.9 million US dollars worth of lemons and limes, which was 12.9% higher than in 2019. The maximum value was 70.5 million US dollars in 2018. The largest decline was in 2019 at 13.4%, and the most significant increase was in 2018, jumping by 247.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia (30.3% of exports in value terms), Iraq (26.9%), and Iran (16.2%) formed the core group of markets for exports in value terms, collectively representing 73.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020

Imports lemons and limes to the United Arab Emirates

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, foreign supplies of lemons and limes to the United Arab Emirates increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 135.9 thousand tonnes, equivalent to a 30.3% year-on-year rise. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 104.3 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 23.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (42.2% of imports in kind), Vietnam (18.7%), and Turkey (13.5%) made the biggest contribution to imports in kind, jointly accounting for 74.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year reduction, deliveries of lemons and limes to the United Arab Emirates increased. In 2020, imports totaled 97.1 million US dollars, marking a steep 26.5% improvement from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -7.7%. The minimum value was 76.7 million US dollars in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, dropping by 33.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, South Africa (46.2% of imports in value terms), Vietnam (17.9%), and Turkey (9.7%) consistently remained the main sources for imports in value terms, together accounting for 73.8% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020