Lemons and limes production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 748,644 t of lemons and limes, the 9th largest in the world (3.23% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 128%. The record was 809,888 t in 2023. Area harvested: 34,289 ha, yield 21.8 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 748,644 t
- World rank
- 9 of 107
- 10-year change
- +128%
- Record
- 809,888 t
- 2023
Lemons and limes in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 3.2%
- 2.1% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 21.8
- world 16.0 (+37%)
- kg per person
- 11.7
- world 2.84
- 10-year change
- +128%
- world +45%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | United States | 927,140 | 4.0% |
| 8 | Spain | 919,510 | 4.0% |
| 9 | South Africa | 748,644 | 3.2% |
| 10 | Colombia | 592,297 | 2.6% |
| 11 | Iran | 509,862 | 2.2% |
Map of world production of lemons and limes
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 748,644 | −7.6% | 34,289 | 21.83 |
| 2023 | 809,888 | +3.9% | 37,301 | 21.71 |
| 2022 | 779,335 | +19% | 36,095 | 21.59 |
| 2021 | 656,382 | +2.0% | 30,679 | 21.40 |
| 2020 | 643,328 | +27% | 30,268 | 21.25 |
| 2019 | 506,769 | +6.9% | 23,969 | 21.14 |
| 2018 | 474,149 | +6.2% | 22,625 | 20.96 |
| 2017 | 446,340 | +38% | 21,394 | 20.86 |
| 2016 | 323,526 | −8.4% | 15,398 | 21.01 |
| 2015 | 353,180 | +7.5% | 15,999 | 22.08 |
| 2014 | 328,401 | +28% | 13,600 | 24.15 |
| 2013 | 257,046 | +6.7% | 13,200 | 19.47 |
| 2012 | 240,977 | −7.5% | 12,500 | 19.28 |
| 2011 | 260,646 | +21% | 13,500 | 19.31 |
| 2010 | 215,985 | +5.7% | 11,039 | 19.57 |
| 2009 | 204,317 | −11% | 11,000 | 18.57 |
| 2008 | 229,934 | +18% | 12,000 | 19.16 |
| 2007 | 194,691 | −9.1% | 9,853 | 19.76 |
| 2006 | 214,102 | +17% | 10,500 | 20.39 |
| 2005 | 183,542 | −14% | 9,320 | 19.69 |
| 2004 | 212,955 | +11% | 10,896 | 19.54 |
| 2003 | 191,571 | +7.3% | 9,869 | 19.41 |
| 2002 | 178,506 | +13% | 9,500 | 18.79 |
| 2001 | 158,206 | +32% | 8,200 | 19.29 |
| 2000 | 120,102 | +18% | 6,172 | 19.46 |
| 1999 | 101,702 | −1.4% | 5,246 | 19.39 |
| 1998 | 103,119 | +15% | 5,500 | 18.75 |
| 1997 | 89,546 | +3.3% | 4,400 | 20.35 |
| 1996 | 86,663 | +19% | 4,200 | 20.63 |
| 1995 | 72,907 | −1.8% | 3,704 | 19.68 |
| 1994 | 74,259 | +21% | 3,800 | 19.54 |
| 1993 | 61,252 | −3.6% | 3,400 | 18.02 |
| 1992 | 63,548 | −5.1% | 3,250 | 19.55 |
| 1991 | 66,971 | +4.6% | 3,400 | 19.70 |
| 1990 | 64,002 | −23% | 3,200 | 20.00 |
| 1989 | 83,266 | +14% | 3,800 | 21.91 |
| 1988 | 73,009 | +2.3% | 3,400 | 21.47 |
| 1987 | 71,345 | +13% | 3,400 | 20.98 |
| 1986 | 63,128 | −1.1% | 3,200 | 19.73 |
| 1985 | 63,835 | +31% | 3,200 | 19.95 |
| 1984 | 48,902 | +0.8% | 2,500 | 19.56 |
| 1983 | 48,512 | −2.1% | 2,500 | 19.40 |
| 1982 | 49,545 | −9.3% | 2,500 | 19.82 |
| 1981 | 54,629 | +41% | 2,600 | 21.01 |
| 1980 | 38,868 | +8.5% | 2,400 | 16.20 |
| 1979 | 35,816 | −2.0% | 2,400 | 14.92 |
| 1978 | 36,533 | +27% | 2,400 | 15.22 |
| 1977 | 28,877 | +10% | 2,000 | 14.44 |
| 1976 | 26,145 | −7.1% | 2,000 | 13.07 |
| 1975 | 28,149 | +2.1% | 2,000 | 14.07 |
| 1974 | 27,580 | +24% | 2,000 | 13.79 |
| 1973 | 22,274 | −3.6% | 1,700 | 13.10 |
| 1972 | 23,098 | +18% | 1,700 | 13.59 |
| 1971 | 19,589 | +14% | 1,500 | 13.06 |
| 1970 | 17,167 | −13% | 1,300 | 13.21 |
| 1969 | 19,626 | +24% | 1,400 | 14.02 |
| 1968 | 15,877 | −13% | 1,200 | 13.23 |
| 1967 | 18,202 | +0.7% | 1,200 | 15.17 |
| 1966 | 18,079 | +26% | 1,200 | 15.07 |
| 1965 | 14,333 | −18% | 1,000 | 14.33 |
| 1964 | 17,388 | −28% | 1,100 | 15.81 |
| 1963 | 24,040 | +29% | 1,300 | 18.49 |
| 1962 | 18,589 | −12% | 1,100 | 16.90 |
| 1961 | 21,081 | — | 1,300 | 16.22 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 550,911 t USD 333 m
- Exporter rank
- 4 of 123
- Imports
- 3,130 t USD 397,000
- Importer rank
- 74 of 172
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of lemons and limes in South Africa?
South Africa produced 748,644 t in 2024, 3.2% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of lemons and limes?
South Africa ranked 9th of 107 countries in 2024. The largest producer was India with 16.5% of the world total.
How has the production of lemons and limes in South Africa changed?
It rose by 128% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +45% for the world. The record was 809,888 t in 2023.
What is the yield of lemons and limes in South Africa?
21.8 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (748,644 t from 34,289 ha), against a world average of 16.0 t/ha.
Does South Africa export or import lemons and limes?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 550,911 t (USD 333 m) and imports of 3,130 t (USD 397,000), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.