IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Lemons And Limes – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global lemon and lime market revenue amounted to $18.3B in 2018, going up by 6.4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).

The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008, with an increase of 16% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the global lemon and lime market attained its maximum level in 2018, and is expected to retain its growth in the immediate term.

Production 2007-2018

In 2018, the global lemon and lime production totaled 17M tonnes, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the period under review, lemon and lime production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

Exports 2007-2018

Global exports stood at 3.1M tonnes in 2018, growing by 1.9% against the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. In value terms, lemon and lime exports stood at $3.4B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Over the period under review, the total exports indicated a strong growth from 2007 to 2018: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.

Based on 2018 figures, the lemon and lime exports increased by +69.5% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008, with an increase of 21% year-to-year. Global exports peaked in 2018, and are expected to retain its growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Mexico (718K tonnes), Spain (529K tonnes), Turkey (465K tonnes), South Africa (315K tonnes) and Argentina (269K tonnes) represented roughly 74% of total exports of lemons and limes in 2018. The following exporters – the U.S. (116K tonnes), Brazil (97K tonnes), Chile (88K tonnes), the Netherlands (73K tonnes) and Germany (69K tonnes) – together made up 14% of total exports. From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Germany, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. In value terms, the largest lemon and lime markets worldwide were Spain ($783M), Mexico ($678M) and Turkey ($341M), with a combined 54% share of global exports. South Africa, Argentina, the U.S., Chile, the Netherlands, Germany and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2018, the average lemon and lime export price amounted to $1,083 per tonne, going up by 5% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. Export prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest export price was the U.S. ($1,748 per tonne), while Turkey ($735 per tonne) was amongst the lowest. From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of export prices was attained by the U.S., while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports 2007-2018

In 2018, approx. 3M tonnes of lemons and limes were imported worldwide; stabilizing at the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. In value terms, lemon and lime imports totaled $3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

The U.S. represented the key importer of lemons and limes in the world, with the volume of imports finishing at 731K tonnes, which was near 25% of total imports in 2018. Russia (222K tonnes) occupied the second position in the ranking, followed by the Netherlands (209K tonnes), France (190K tonnes) and Iraq (141K tonnes). All these countries together held near 26% share of total imports. Spain (115K tonnes), Saudi Arabia (100K tonnes), Germany (87K tonnes), the UK (84K tonnes), Canada (82K tonnes), the United Arab Emirates (75K tonnes) and Italy (70K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders. From 2007 to 2018, average annual rates of growth with regard to lemon and lime imports into the U.S. stood at +4.9%.

At the same time, Spain (+9.2%), Iraq (+8.8%), the United Arab Emirates (+5.6%), the Netherlands (+5.4%), France (+4.2%), Canada (+3.2%) and Saudi Arabia (+3.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Spain emerged as the fastest growing importer in the world, with a CAGR of +9.2% from 2007-2018. Russia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the UK (-1.3%), Italy (-2.3%) and Germany (-4.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Germany (1.8%) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while France, Spain, Iraq, the Netherlands and the U.S. saw its share reduced by -2.3%, -2.4%, -2.9%, -3.1% and -10.1% from 2007 to 2018, respectively.

The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period. In value terms, the U.S. ($652M) constitutes the largest market for imported lemons and limes worldwide, comprising 22% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by France ($270M), with a 9.1% share of global imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 6.6% share.

Import Prices by Country

The average lemon and lime import price stood at $1,003 per tonne in 2018, waning by -11.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, the country with the highest import price was Germany ($1,734 per tonne), while Iraq ($324 per tonne) was amongst the lowest. From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of import prices was attained by the U.S., while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform