Lemons and limes market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for lemons and limes in Uruguay experienced substantial growth from 2018 to 2021, rising from 24 052 t to a peak of 60 189 t. This expansion was followed by a contraction in 2022 and 2023, with the market settling at 43 008 t in the latter year.

The market's trajectory was closely tied to domestic production, which surged to 78 123 t in 2021 before declining to 49 720 t in 2023. While export volumes varied, the overall market size was primarily determined by the scale of local output available for domestic consumption.

Production lemons and limes in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

Uruguay's lemon and lime production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 51 620 tonnes, marking an 8.9% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 35.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 10.8%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 37 884 tonnes. That year also saw the smallest decline, with a drop of just 0.3%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase, with production surging by 25.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Uruguay's lemon and lime output reached 42 233 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 22.5% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the production value increased by 19.6%, averaging 6.1% per year. The lowest value was in 2019, at 34 471 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Uruguay in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports lemons and limes from Uruguay

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Uruguay's lemon and lime exports saw a decline. In 2020, the country exported 14 690 tonnes, down 4.4% from the previous year. The peak was in 2019, with 15 371 tonnes exported, which also had the largest increase of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United States, and Spain were consistently the top destinations for Uruguay's lemon and lime exports by volume. Together, they accounted for 56.7% of total exports, with the Netherlands at 29.3%, the United States at 14.7%, and Spain at 12.7%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Uruguay's lemon and lime exports were valued at 12 018 thousand US dollars, up 7.6% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 10.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest value was in 2019, at 11 173 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest drop of 24.6%. In contrast, 2018 recorded the highest value at 14 813 thousand US dollars, with the biggest increase of 9.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, the United States, and Italy were the leading markets for Uruguay's lemon and lime exports by value, collectively making up 58.5% of total exports.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

Uruguay's lemon and lime imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 140 tonnes, up 11.9% from the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall imports decreased by 20.1%, averaging a 7.2% annual decline. The lowest volume was in 2018, at 965 tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 32.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Bolivia, and Spain were the main sources of Uruguay's lemon and lime imports by volume. Together, they represented 77.8% of total imports, with Brazil at 36.0%, Bolivia at 26.2%, and Spain at 15.5%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Uruguay's lemon and lime imports have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 905 thousand US dollars, a slight decrease of 0.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 38.4%, with an average annual decline of 14.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, Bolivia, and Spain were the primary suppliers of lemons and limes to Uruguay by value. Together, they accounted for 76.6% of total imports, with Brazil and Bolivia each at 28.8%, and Spain at 19.0%.

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

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