South Africa: Lemon And Lime Market 2024

Lemon And Lime Market Size in South Africa

The South African lemon and lime market dropped markedly to $X in 2022, which is down by -39.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, posted a notable expansion. Lemon and lime consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Lemon And Lime Production in South Africa

In value terms, lemon and lime production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, posted a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 81%. 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.

In 2022, the average yield of lemons and limes in South Africa shrank to X tons per ha, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the yield increased by 24%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the average lemon and lime yield remained 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.

The lemon and lime harvested area in South Africa contracted modestly to X ha in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, recorded a strong expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 39%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to lemon and lime production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Lemon And Lime Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of lemons and limes were exported from South Africa; picking up by 12% compared with the previous year. In general, exports saw a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 31%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lemon and lime exports rose to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 76% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the main destinations of lemon and lime exports from South Africa, together accounting for 41% of total exports. Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iraq, Italy, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, China and Kuwait lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Iraq (with a CAGR of +63.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for lemons and limes exports from South Africa, comprising 22% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by the UK, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to the Netherlands amounted to +20.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+3.1% per year) and the UK (+10.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average lemon and lime export price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -8.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 40%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Iraq ($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 Portugal (+5.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lemon And Lime Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, supplies from abroad of lemons and limes decreased by -6.9% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, imports, however, saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 110% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lemon and lime imports contracted remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 289%. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Swaziland (X tons) was the main supplier of lemon and lime to South Africa, accounting for a 93% share of total imports. Moreover, lemon and lime imports from Swaziland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Brazil (X tons), with a 0.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Swaziland totaled +53.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+0.8% per year) and Brazil (+14.6% per year).

In value terms, Swaziland ($X), Spain ($X) and Brazil ($X) constituted the largest lemon and lime suppliers to South Africa, with a combined 88% share of total imports.

Swaziland, with a CAGR of +50.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average lemon and lime import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -48.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average import price increased by 93% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the price for Swaziland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+1.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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