Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormEssential Oil
Industry PositionFlavor and Fragrance Ingredient
Market
Lemon oil (essential oil of lemon; HS 330113/3301.13) is a niche traded essential-oil ingredient in Guatemala, with exports recorded in UN Comtrade/WITS (e.g., 2019 shipments to France and the United States). Upstream citrus availability in Guatemala is exposed to Huanglongbing (HLB) plant-health risk, which MAGA and OIRSA treat as a major threat to citriculture and have addressed through multi-year programs and phytosanitary initiatives. For imports, Guatemala’s published Central American Import Tariff schedule lists essential oil of lemon under HS 3301.13.00.00, with a 0% import duty rate (DAI) in the ACI 2023 schedule. Overall, the market role is best characterized as niche producer/exporter alongside domestic industrial users and some import needs for specific grades or specifications.
Market RoleNiche producer and exporter (with two-way trade presence)
Domestic RoleIndustrial input for flavoring and fragrance applications
Specification
Physical Attributes- Expressed lemon oil is typically a mobile, clear liquid with pale yellow to pale greenish-yellow appearance; cloudiness can occur at lower temperatures (ISO 855 family).
Compositional Metrics- Quality assessment commonly relies on physicochemical parameters and chromatographic profile checks as described in ISO 855 (without a single universal numeric target across origins).
Grades- Expressed (cold-pressed) lemon oil
- Deterpenated lemon oil (when specified by the buyer for certain applications)
- Food-grade vs. fragrance-grade (specification-driven)
Packaging- Lacquered or epoxy-lined metal drums for bulk export
- HDPE jerrycans for smaller industrial lots
- Amber glass or aluminum bottles for lab samples and QC retains
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Citrus harvest/collection → peel handling (often co-located with packing/processing) → mechanical expression (cold pressing) → separation/filtration → quality testing (COA; ISO 855-aligned checks) → drum filling → export or domestic distribution
Temperature- Protect from heat and direct light during storage and transport to reduce oxidation and off-notes.
- Use clean, compatible containers and headspace management practices to reduce quality drift during long storage.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Plant Health HighHuanglongbing (HLB) is described by OIRSA as a highly destructive citrus disease affecting multiple countries in the region since 2008 and is treated by Guatemala’s MAGA as a key threat to citriculture; this can materially reduce citrus availability and disrupt peel-derived lemon oil supply and cost structure.Qualify suppliers with documented HLB management and monitored orchards; diversify sourcing and maintain contingency inventory for periods of citrus supply shock.
Quality Fraud MediumEssential oils are exposed to adulteration/identity risk in global trade; failure to meet buyer identity expectations can trigger rejection, claims, or delisting in export programs.Require COA plus independent identity testing (e.g., GC profile checks) and align specifications to recognized standards such as ISO 855 where applicable.
Food Safety MediumIf lemon oil is produced from peel inputs with inadequate controls, buyers may flag concerns related to chemical residues or oxidative degradation affecting suitability for flavoring use.Implement residue-risk screening and oxidation control (appropriate storage, antioxidants only if permitted/declared, and defined shelf-life practices) aligned to buyer requirements.
Regulatory Compliance MediumDocumentation gaps (missing SDS/COA, misclassification, or incomplete labeling for intended use) can delay customs clearance and compromise buyer acceptance in industrial channels.Maintain a shipment document checklist (invoice/packing list/transport docs + SDS + COA + HS code confirmation) and run pre-shipment review with the importer/broker.
Sustainability- Citrus disease pressure (HLB) driving intensified orchard management and potential increases in input use
- Agricultural chemical stewardship and residue-management expectations for peel-derived ingredients
- Byproduct utilization and waste management where peel is sourced from citrus packing/processing streams
Labor & Social- Seasonal agricultural labor management in citrus supply chains (working hours, wage compliance, contractor oversight)
- Worker safety in handling agrochemicals and in oil-handling operations (flammability and exposure controls)
Standards- HACCP
- ISO 22000
- FSSC 22000
- GMP
FAQ
What is the main deal-breaker risk for Guatemala’s lemon-oil supply chain?Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most critical disruption risk because OIRSA describes it as a highly destructive citrus disease in the region and Guatemala’s MAGA has implemented programs to produce and distribute disease-free/HLB-resistant citrus material. If HLB pressure reduces citrus availability, peel-derived lemon oil supply and pricing can be materially affected.
Which HS code is typically used for lemon oil, and what does Guatemala’s tariff schedule show?Lemon oil is commonly classified under HS 3301.13/330113 (essential oil of lemon). Guatemala’s ACI 2023 schedule lists HS 3301.13.00.00 (aceites esenciales de limón) with a 0% import duty rate (DAI).
Does Guatemala export lemon oil to major international markets?Yes. UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS portal shows Guatemala recorded exports of HS 330113 in 2019, including shipments to France and the United States (with smaller volumes to Japan and the United Kingdom).
What standard is commonly referenced for quality assessment of expressed lemon oil?ISO 855:2003 is a commonly referenced standard for oil of lemon obtained by expression, specifying characteristics to facilitate quality assessment and trade alignment.