Western Africa: Lemon And Lime Market 2025

Lemon And Lime Market Size in Western Africa

The West African lemon and lime market expanded slightly to $X in 2022, rising by 2.1% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lemon And Lime Production in Western Africa

In value terms, lemon and lime production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% 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 -3.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 45% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Ghana (X tons), Mali (X tons) and Guinea-Bissau (X tons), with a combined 99% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Mali (with a CAGR of +5.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average lemon and lime yield rose slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, increasing by 2.8% on the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 9.8%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the lemon and lime 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 Western Africa; waning by -2% against the previous year's figure. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% 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 appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 9.9%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Lemon And Lime Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of lemons and limes were exported in Western Africa; increasing by 61% against 2021 figures. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 522% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lemon and lime exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 445% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Mauritania (X tons) represented the key exporter of lemons and limes, constituting 41% of total exports. Nigeria (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Burkina Faso (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Senegal (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 52% share of total exports. Ghana (X tons) and Guinea (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Mauritania (with a CAGR of +98.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lemon and lime supplying countries in Western Africa were Cote d'Ivoire ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Mauritania ($X), with a combined 71% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Mauritania, with a CAGR of +62.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while Senegal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+15.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lemon And Lime Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of lemons and limes were imported in Western Africa; picking up by 40% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a slight increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 85%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lemon and lime imports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a temperate increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 83%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Mauritania represented the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 49% of total imports. Nigeria (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 16% share, followed by Cabo Verde (14%), Cote d'Ivoire (9.1%) and Mali (5.1%). Ghana (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to lemon and lime imports into Mauritania stood at -3.6%. At the same time, Nigeria (+51.6%), Cote d'Ivoire (+30.2%), Mali (+26.8%), Ghana (+23.4%) and Cabo Verde (+11.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +51.6% from 2012-2022. While the share of Nigeria (+16 p.p.), Cabo Verde (+8.5 p.p.), Cote d'Ivoire (+8.3 p.p.), Mali (+4.5 p.p.) and Ghana (+2.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Mauritania (-33.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest lemon and lime importing markets in Western Africa were Cabo Verde ($X), Mauritania ($X) and Nigeria ($X), together comprising 73% of total imports.

Nigeria, with a CAGR of +43.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries 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 Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -25.2% against the previous year. Import price indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, lemon and lime import price increased by +34.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the import price increased by 65%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2021, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Cabo Verde ($X per ton), while Mali ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cabo Verde (+0.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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