Lemon consumption increases slightly with rising imports

U.S. retail lemon per-capita availability increased from 2.3 pounds in 2000 to 2.5 pounds in 2019, and imports are taking a bigger slice of total lemon demand than just a few years ago.

The USDA reports imported lemons accounted for 18.4% of total fresh U.S. lemon supply in 2020, down from 20.1% in 2019 but up from 14.7% in 2015 and 10.7% in 2010.

In 2021, U.S. lemon imports totaled $180.4 million, up 30% from $138 million in 2020 and up 28% from $141.6 million in 2019., according to the USDA.

Top lemon suppliers to the U.S. in 2021, ranked by value, were Chile, Argentina and Mexico, with lighter volumes from Spain, Uruguay, New Zealand and Australia.

U.S. Lemon Imports
($1,000s)
                          2021
Chile               71,119
Argentina       70,097
Mexico           32,926
Spain               1,465
Uruguay          1,215
New Zealand   1,100
Australia(*)          477
Grand total   180,453
Source: USDA

Percentage of total lemon supply represented by imports
2000    5.4
2005    9.7
2010    10.7
2015    14.7
2020    18.4    
Source: USDA