South Africa Lime Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2024 - 2029 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 223.25 Million |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 300.88 Million |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 6.15 % |
South Africa Lime Market Analysis
The South Africa Lime Market size is estimated at USD 223.25 million in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 300.88 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6.15% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
- Citrus is the most important agricultural product in South Africa. South Africa is one of the major producers of lime, with a total acreage of 30,190 hectares. The major cultivars of lime in South Africa are Eureka, Lisbon, Genoa, Limoneira, Fino, and Lime. According to the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS), in 2020-2021, South Africa produced 626,791 MT of lime fruit.
- The area planted with limes in South Africa more than doubled over the past seven years, driven by improved global demand and rising global prices. However, the positive trend in the area planted has flattened in recent years due to the bearish movement of export prices received by producers.
- More than 40% of the area planted with lemons consists of orchards that are five years or younger, indicating that growing volumes of limes will reach the market in the next five years. Ideally, the season peaks from January to May; however, South African growers can harvest all year round. Bearss and Tahiti are the most planted varieties of lime in South Africa.
- Limes are rich in flavonoids, which have anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. Lime juice has been used in West Africa for many years to treat and prevent cholera. It is often used in cooking, while slices of lime are also popularly used to garnish cocktails and other drinks. High levels of new plantings, a wide range of uses, improved water management techniques by farmers, and duty-free exports of lime are some of the factors driving the production of lime in South Africa, thus, leading to higher production and exports of lime.
South Africa Lime Market Trends
Increasing Application of Lime in Multiple Sectors
- South Africa is one of the major producers of lime, with a total acreage of 30,190 hectares, producing 0.7 million metric tons of lime in 2021. According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the production acreage increased by 35.4% from 22,296 ha in 2018 to 30,190 ha in 2021 due to its wide range of applications, such as their use in the food and beverage sector. Lemon and lime extracts are also used in medicines, cosmetics, and cleaning products. Processed lemons and limes are used as flavoring and food ingredients.
- In the beverage industry, lemons/limes make lemonade, smoothies, and liquors. Lemon juice is also used as a degreaser and disinfectant in the cleaning industry. With the increasing production area, the quantity produced increased by 38.4% from 0.47 million metric tons in 2018 to 0.66 million in 2021. The increasing area under cultivation and favorable government policies, such as subsidies, encourage the country's lime growers to increase their production.
- The Eastern Cape province is the leading growing region for lemons/limes in South Africa, accounting for 42% of the total area planted, followed by the Limpopo (31%) and Western Cape (14%) provinces. The most popular lemon cultivar planted in South Africa is Eureka, representing 75% of the total area, followed by the Lisbon (8%) and 2PH Seedless (6%) cultivars. The area planted with lemons/limes in South Africa more than doubled over the past seven years owing to consumer demand.
Rising International Demand is Driving the Exports
- The country is less dependent on imports with respect to lime, as it is self-sufficient in its production and is one of the major exporters of lime. In 2021, lime exports reached 0.5 million metric tons, as against the production of 0.66 million metric tons, accounting for a total export value of USD 347,833 thousand.
- Lime exports to China increased by more than 1000 percent to almost 9,000 metric tons in 2021/22 after easing cold treatment requirements in August 2021. Although South Africa is a major supplier of lemons globally, the country's lemons exports to China until last year have been limited by the cold treatment requirement, which made the fruit susceptible to chilling injury and subsequent decay. This change in protocol is anticipated to intensify South Africa's lemon exports to China in the future.
- According to International Trade Center (ITC) Trade, the major export destinations for South African lime are the Netherlands, with an import value of USD 67 million in 2021, followed by the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, with import values of USD 36 million and USD 30 million, respectively, in 2021. Exports to these countries are steadily increasing because of the higher production and growing international demand for lime produced in the country, thus, indicating the growth of the market in the country.
South Africa Lime Market News
- June 2022: EU imposed new regulations on South African citrus import, implying that consignments arriving in the European Union from 14 July 2022 must comply with the new regulation.
- June 2021: South African government entered into a trade deal with China on the export of citrus fruits. This trade deal helps increase the export opportunities for lemon farmers in South Africa. Under the new trade deal for lemons, the cold treatment at 3°C or below will be provided for not less than 18 consecutive days, which will help retain the quality of lemons in transit.
South Africa Lime Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Market Drivers
4.3 Market Restraints
4.4 Value Chain Analysis
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
5.1 South Africa
5.1.1 Production Analysis
5.1.2 Consumption Analysis and Market Value
5.1.3 Import Analysis by Volume and Value
5.1.4 Export Analysis by Volume and Value
5.1.5 Price Trend Analysis
6. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
South Africa Lime Industry Segmentation
Lime is a small, lemon-shaped, greenish-yellow citrus fruit with a juicy, sour pulp, rich in ascorbic acid. The study considers commercial lime fruit as a commodity, along with the major developments in the market.
The South African lime market report analyzes the production(volume), consumption(value and volume), import(value and volume), export(value and volume) and price trend of South African lime.
The report offers the market size and forecasts in value (USD) and volume (metric ton) for all the above segments.
| South Africa | |
| Production Analysis | |
| Consumption Analysis and Market Value | |
| Import Analysis by Volume and Value | |
| Export Analysis by Volume and Value | |
| Price Trend Analysis |
South Africa Lime Market Research FAQs
How big is the South Africa Lime Market?
The South Africa Lime Market size is expected to reach USD 223.25 million in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 6.15% to reach USD 300.88 million by 2029.
What is the current South Africa Lime Market size?
In 2024, the South Africa Lime Market size is expected to reach USD 223.25 million.
What years does this South Africa Lime Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the South Africa Lime Market size was estimated at USD 210.32 million. The report covers the South Africa Lime Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the South Africa Lime Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
South Africa Lime Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 South Africa Lime market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. South Africa Lime analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
