MENA: Lemon And Lime Market 2025

Lemon And Lime Market Size in MENA

The MENA's lemon and lime market reduced to $X in 2022, which is down by -13.8% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Lemon And Lime Production in MENA

In value terms, lemon and lime production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 26%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Turkey (X tons) remains the largest lemon and lime producing country in MENA, comprising approx. 55% of total volume. Moreover, lemon and lime production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Turkey amounted to +6.8%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Iran (+1.6% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (-2.9% per year).

The average lemon and lime yield declined to X tons per ha in 2022, which is down by -5.6% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the yield increased by 10%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha, and then declined in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of lemons and limes production in MENA fell to X ha, waning by -12.1% against the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the harvested area increased by 6.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to lemon and lime production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Lemon And Lime Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of lemons and limes, when their volume decreased by -15.5% to X tons. Total exports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -13.1% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 27%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined sharply in the following year.

In value terms, lemon and lime exports fell sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the one major exporters of lemons and limes, namely Turkey, represented more than two-thirds of total export.

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lemons and limes exports, with a CAGR of +4.9% from 2012 to 2022. Turkey (+11 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) also remains the largest lemon and lime supplier in MENA.

In Turkey, lemon and lime exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -9.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a perceptible setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 17% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for Turkey.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Turkey amounted to -4.5% per year.

Lemon And Lime Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, purchases abroad of lemons and limes decreased by -30.4% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, recorded prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then fell sharply in the following year.

In value terms, lemon and lime imports contracted notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 35%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Iraq (X tons) represented the main importer of lemons and limes, comprising 46% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), together committing a 40% share of total imports. Qatar (X tons), Bahrain (X tons) and Oman (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Iraq (with a CAGR of +39.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Iraq ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Kuwait ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 80% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Iraq, with a CAGR of +35.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 5.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) was 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