U.S. exports of lemons and limes have been trending lower in recent years, and 2021 saw a 15% decline in combined exports.
The USDA reports U.S. exports of lemons/limes in 2021 totaled 75,969 metric tons, down 15% from 89,526 metric tons and off 20% from 2019.
The top export market for U.S. lemons and limes in 2021 was Canada, which took 36% of total volume in 2021, down from 40% in 2020 but up 33% from 2019.
Japan was the second leading export market in 2021, taking 28% of U.S. exports of lemons/limes in 2021, up from 25% from 2020 but down from 36% in 2019. South Korea was the third-ranked export market, taking 16% of volume in 2021, up from 15% from 2020 and up 14% from 2019.
U.S. Lemon/Lime Exports
(metric tons)
World
2001 113,140.7
2002 98,430.0
2003 110,213.7
2004 98,209.3
2005 103,563.2
2006 103,535.5
2007 137,327.6
2008 136,929.6
2009 93,578.4
2010 94,403.0
2011 95,639.6
2012 98,864.0
2013 120,698.7
2014 126,400.0
2015 106,609.4
2016 112,732.2
2017 108,573.1
2018 91,318.6
2019 95,419.2
2020 89,526.6
2021 75,959.8
Source: USDA
