Top 10 lemon producing and exporting countries in the world, including an Arab country | Economy

Aljazeera.net correspondents

Lemons, a fruit known for their vibrant flavor and refreshing aroma, are more than just a kitchen staple. Rich in vitamin C, fiber, and a host of beneficial plant compounds, they support immune function, improve heart health, and aid digestion.

One medium lemon provides about 31 milligrams of vitamin C, which is 51% of the recommended daily intake according to the World Health Organization.

In this report, Al Jazeera Net monitors the largest producer, exporter and importer of lemons in the world.

Global production

According to the report “Citrus: Global Markets and Trade” issued by the Foreign Agricultural Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, global lemon production is expected to reach 10 million tons in the 2023-2024 season, driven by increased production in the European Union, South Africa and Turkey.

• Turkey’s production will increase by 264,000 tonnes to a record 1.6 million tonnes due to favourable weather conditions and better yields, with exports at or near historic levels.
• Spain production Lemon production will reach a historic high driven by favourable growing conditions and the country’s vast lemon acreage, which will see total EU production increase by 16% to around 1.7 million metric tons.
• Conversely, unfavorable weather in California is expected to cause U.S. production to fall by 254,000 metric tons to an estimated 758,000 metric tons.
• In South Africa, production is expected to grow by 10% to 720,000 metric tons, setting a new export record for the eighth consecutive year.

Top 10 Lemon Producing Countries in the World

Mexico is the world’s largest lemon producer, producing about 30% of the world’s lemons in the 2023-24 season, despite problems caused by the “citrus greening” disease that the sector suffered from, which led to a reduction in its lemon production by about 5%, according to the previous source.

Below is a list of the world’s top 10 lemon producing countries for the 2023-24 season, in metric tons, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service:

1. Mexico: 2.95 million metric tons (30% of world lemon production).
2. Argentina: 1.91 million metric tons (19%).
3. EU: 1.69 million metric tons (17%).
4. Türkiye: 1.58 million metric tons (16%).
5. United States: 758 thousand metric tons (8%).
6. South Africa: 720,000 metric tons (7%).
7. Chile: 175,000 metric tons (2%).
8. Saudi Arabia: 60 thousand tons (0.6%).
9. Israel: 60 thousand tons (0.6%).
10. Japan: 52 thousand tons (0.52%).

Top 10 Lemon Exporting Countries in the World

The value of lemons exported worldwide in 2023 amounted to about $3.73 billion, according to the “Tridge” platform.

Below is a list of the top 10 lemon exporting countries in the world in 2023 according to the same source:

1. Spain: $857.8 million (23.1% of world lemon exports).
2. Mexico: $722.7 million (19.4%).
3. South Africa: $361.55 million (9.7%).
4. Türkiye: $358.6 million (9.62%).
5. Netherlands: $351.3 million (9.43%).
6. United States: $187.1 million (5.02%).
7. Brazil: $174.04 million (4.67%).
8. Argentina: $123.13 million (3.30%).
9. Colombia: $95.1 million (2.55%).
10. Italy: $83.85 million (2.25%).

Top 10 Lemon Importing Countries in the World

The United States of America is the largest importer of lemons in the world due to its use in a large number of food industries produced in the country.

Below is a list of the top 10 lemon importing countries in the world in 2023, valued in US dollars, according to Index Box:

1. United States: $642.7 million.
2. Netherlands: $416.9 million.
3. Germany: $413.4 million.
4. France: $249.2 million.
5. United Kingdom: $179.7 million.
6. Poland: $173.2 million.
7. Russia: $161.2 million.
8. Canada: $158.2 million.
9. Italy: $125.2 million.
10. Japan: $87.4 million.

Top 10 Arab Lemon Exporting Countries

Due to the lack of accurate information from reliable sources on the size of Arab countries’ lemon production, we provide you with the following list of the top 10 Arab countries exporting lemons in 2022, valued in US dollars, according to the OAC World platform:

1. Egypt: $78 million.
2. UAE: $54.4 million.
3. Morocco: $8.6 million
4. Somalia: $5.23 million
5. Syria: $1.36 million.
6. Saudi Arabia: $1.31 million.
7. Kuwait: $1.07 million.
8. Sultanate of Oman: $1.05 million
9. Lebanon: $585,000
10. Occupied Palestine: $474,000

Facts you may not know about lemons

• The exact origin of lemons is not known, but it is believed to have originated in northwest India. Arab traders spread lemons throughout the Mediterranean region between 1000 and 1150 AD.
• There are 31 types of lemons in the world, and the most famous types of lemons currently widespread are: Lisbon lemon, Meyer lemon, Pearce lemon, Limita lemon.
• Lemon is rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C, and is also rich in antioxidants. Some scientific studies have proven that lemon reduces the risk of stroke, fights cancer, protects against high blood pressure, maintains healthy skin, helps treat sore throats, and has many other benefits.
• Lemon trees can produce up to 600 pounds per year, and can grow up to 20 feet tall.
• Lemons were so rare that kings gave them to each other as gifts, and during the California Gold Rush of 1849, miners were willing to pay huge sums of money for a single lemon.