World demand for lemons continues to increase strongly due to Covid-19

The global lemon market for the 2020/21 crop year is expected to experience an increase in consumption and exports due to heightened household demand during the Covid-19 pandemic, as reported by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Despite a slight decrease in global production to 8.3 million tons, primarily due to reduced production in Argentina and the US, favorable weather conditions in Mexico and the European Union have offset this decline. However, lemon prices have fluctuated due to increased transportation costs and varying production yields, with significant increases in France, India, and Kenya, and a more modest rise in the US. China is projected to see a significant drop in lemon production of 30-35% due to adverse weather, while Mexico and the European Union are expected to see increases in production. Argentina is anticipated to see a significant decrease in production, but the European Union is expected to remain the top export market for Argentine lemons. In the US, while production is expected to decrease, consumption is predicted to rise, necessitating an increase in lemon imports.