Which countries are the largest producers of lemons?

The leading producer of lemons and limes is India, followed by Mexico, China, Argentina, and Brazil. Production for these fruits is relatively evenly divided between Asia and the Americas, with shares of 34.6% and 33.4% respectively in 2019. The fruits have witnessed a decrease in terms of production and area harvested worldwide after hitting the peak in 2008 but have been on the incline since 2011.

Between the three main producing countries, China has seen the most significant growth, jumping from 716K MT in 2006 to 4.14 million MT within two years. Production in the country has since decreased to produce approximately 2 million MT annually. The nature of the product does not allow it to be promoted for direct consumption like oranges or tangerines, but as an ingredient or processed into other products. Lemon production is thus balanced on an easily tipped scale, which is at a greater risk of oversupply compared to other citruses. As a result, imports from non-European countries only have a limited share in the European market, imported only during the export window in the summer when Spain is not in season.