GCC: Lemon And Lime Market 2024

Lemon And Lime Market Size in GCC

In 2022, the GCC lemon and lime market decreased by -26.4% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. The total consumption indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -27.7% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lemon And Lime Production in GCC

In value terms, lemon and lime production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -3.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of lemon and lime production was Saudi Arabia (X tons), comprising approx. 76% of total volume. Moreover, lemon and lime production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), sevenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Saudi Arabia stood at +4.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+15.9% per year) and Oman (+2.8% per year).

The average lemon and lime yield shrank modestly to X tons per ha in 2022, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 9.6%. Over the period under review, the lemon and lime yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat 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, the harvested area of lemons and limes in GCC dropped slightly to X ha, approximately reflecting 2021 figures. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 18%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Lemon And Lime Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, shipments abroad of lemons and limes decreased by -9.9% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 162%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lemon and lime exports fell dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 61%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the key exporter of lemons and limes in GCC, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was near 48% of total exports in 2022. Saudi Arabia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 22% share, followed by Kuwait (18%) and Bahrain (11%).

Exports from the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +8.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+15.0%), Bahrain (+5.7%) and Kuwait (+4.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +15.0% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates increased by +12 and +6.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest lemon and lime supplier in GCC, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Bahrain ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 14% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, lemon and lime exports increased at an average annual rate of +12.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Bahrain (+16.5% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+12.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -5.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a measured expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 61%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Kuwait ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+10.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Lemon And Lime Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of lemons and limes, when their volume decreased by -42.7% to X tons. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 19%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, lemon and lime imports fell remarkably to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -41.0% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the main importer of lemons and limes in GCC, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 62% of total imports in 2022. Kuwait (X tons) held a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Qatar (9.4%), Bahrain (6%) and Oman (5.7%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to lemon and lime imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +5.8%. At the same time, Qatar (+16.5%), Bahrain (+7.3%), Kuwait (+6.3%) and Oman (+5.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Qatar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +16.5% from 2012-2022. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+23 p.p.), Qatar (+7.2 p.p.), Kuwait (+6.6 p.p.), Bahrain (+2.7 p.p.) and Oman (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lemons and limes in GCC, comprising 61% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kuwait ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Qatar, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates amounted to +8.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Kuwait (+8.3% per year) and Qatar (+22.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, surging by 6.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 14%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Qatar ($X per ton) and Oman ($X per ton), while Kuwait ($X per ton) and the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform