South African lemon and lime production in 2023–24 will increase by 10% compared to the prior year, to 720,000 metric tons (MT), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) forecast.
ACREAGE
The area planted with lemons/limes in South Africa has more than doubled over the past seven years, driven by global demand and rising global prices. However, that positive trend has flattened in recent years due to the bearish movement of export prices received by producers.
USDA FAS forecasts that the lemons/lime acreage will decline by 4% in 2023–24, to 16,900 hectares.
The largest growing region for lemons/limes in South Africa is the Eastern Cape province, accounting for 41% of total area planted. It is followed by the Limpopo (32%) and Western Cape (15%) provinces.
By far the most popular lemon cultivar planted in South Africa is Eureka, representing 74% of total area. Eureka is followed by Lisbon (8%) and 2PH Seedless (6%) cultivars.
PROCESSING
Lemons/limes delivered for processing will fall by 2% in 2023–24 to 42,000 MT due to a depressed market for lemon juice. Processors are currently holding high stocks of lemon juice due to a decline in lemon juice export opportunities.
TRADE
South African exports of lemons/limes are forecast to grow by 12% to a record level of 640,000 MT in 2023–24 due to the expected increase in production of exportable fruit.
The European Union and United Kingdom remained the main export markets for South African lemons/limes in 2021–22, accounting for almost 50% of total exports. Lemon/lime exports to Russia, representing 7% of total exports, stayed flat in 2021–22, indicating the limited impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
South African imports of lemons/limes are forecast to shrink to around 2,000 MT in 2023–24 as the available domestic production will sufficiently meet local demand for most of the year. Imports are minimal, mainly coming from Eswatini.
See the full USDA FAS 2023–24 report on South African citrus here.
Source: USDA FAS