China: Lemon And Lime Market 2025

Lemon And Lime Market Size in China

In 2022, the Chinese lemon and lime market increased by 0.1% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Lemon And Lime Production in China

In value terms, lemon and lime production fell slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +1.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 122%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of lemons and limes in China was estimated at X tons per ha in 2022, stabilizing at 2021. In general, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by 11%. Over the period under review, the average lemon and lime yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of lemons and limes were harvested in China; with an increase of 2.1% against the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to lemon and lime production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Lemon And Lime Exports

Exports from China

In 2022, overseas shipments of lemons and limes decreased by -3% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 206%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lemon and lime exports fell significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 260%. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Philippines (X tons) was the main destination for lemon and lime exports from China, accounting for a 39% share of total exports. Moreover, lemon and lime exports to the Philippines exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Indonesia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Malaysia (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Philippines amounted to +43.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Indonesia (+16.0% per year) and Malaysia (+0.4% per year).

In value terms, the Philippines ($X) remains the key foreign market for lemons and limes exports from China, comprising 33% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Indonesia ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Russia, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to the Philippines totaled +35.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Indonesia (+10.8% per year) and Russia (+7.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average lemon and lime export price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -16.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a noticeable decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the average export price increased by 24%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Singapore ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Hong Kong SAR (+18.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Lemon And Lime Imports

Imports into China

In 2022, overseas purchases of lemons and limes decreased by -8% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded tangible growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 218%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lemon and lime imports dropped remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a tangible increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 315% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) constituted the largest lemon and lime supplier to China, accounting for a 67% share of total imports. Moreover, lemon and lime imports from South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Argentina (X tons), fourfold. Chile (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from South Africa stood at +25.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (+408.7% per year) and Chile (+2,257.1% per year).

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lemons and limes to China, comprising 59% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Argentina ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Chile, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from South Africa totaled +22.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (+438.1% per year) and Chile (+2,330.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average lemon and lime import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -17.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 31%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+5.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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