Spanish Lime Guide

Exported Value in 2022: USD 863.7 M  

 -9% YoY 

Exported Volume in 2022: 648 thousand MT

- 11.5% YoY 

The export value of Spanish limes has taken a downward trend since 2020, driven by a continuous decrease in domestic production, which has made Spain increase its imports.  

Source: ITC

In 2022, the main market for Spanish limes continues to be Germany with 37.6% of the share, following France with 19%, then the UK with 9.2%, and Poland with 5.7%.

Practically most imports of limes originate in Mexico and Spain, according to 2020 data. Most of the imported limes in the United States come from Mexico. Meanwhile, most of the imported limes in Europe are from Spain.

The lime season in Spain covers almost the entire year due to the different varieties that exist. However, the peak season for lime harvest in Spain, when supply intensifies, is from the fall until the beginning of the summer, between September and May.

The lime tree does not have a defined flowering period, and it can be said that if the weather conditions are favorable, it flowers throughout the year, and therefore the ripening of the fruit is staggered in a similar way. Having said this, it should be noted that in the Mediterranean climate, the greatest production occurs during autumn, winter, and spring, being much more limited in summer, given the dry climate and the lack of rainfall at this time.

The total area planted for limes in Spain is about 44.7 thousand MT (MAPA, 2020)

Murcia, Alicante, and Malaga jointly represent 94.1% of the total national lime output. 

 - 65% (9,400 ha) of the lemon plantations in the Region of Murcia have been planted after year 2000, rising to 68% in C. Valenciana (6,300 ha) and being 49% in Andalusia (1,600 ha).

The most commercialized lime varieties in Spain are:

Eureka: the fruit is medium in size, elliptical or ovoid in shape. It is a seedless variety with a lot of juice. Its cultivation is widespread throughout the world, although the United States is at the forefront in terms of production.

Lisbon: juicy, acid, and with a rough rind. The fruit is medium in size, elliptical or oblong. Seed content is variable but higher than Eureka. Harvesting is done during winter until early spring.

Primofiori: also called fino, its shape is spherical to oval. The rind of the fruits is thin and smooth and has a lot of juice and delicate acidity. It has a greater number of seeds than the Verna variety.

Verna: its shape is elongated, and the ends end in a point. It is almost seedless and has a relatively low level of acidity. It is one of the main varieties of European lemon produced in Spain and Italy.

The factors that determine the quality of lime are the quality characteristics as follows:

• Whole
  

• Fresh in appearance
  

• Produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for consumption is excluded
  

• Practically free of bruising and/or extensive healed-over cuts
  

• Clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter
  

• Practically free of damage caused by pests
  

• Practically free of pests affecting the general appearance of the produce
  

• Free of any foreign smell and/or taste
  

• Free of damage caused by frost
  

• Free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following removal from cold storage
  

• Free of damage caused by low and/or high temperatures
  

• Free of signs of internal shriveling
  

• No pesticides
  

• Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) < 1 mg/Kg