Morocco's lemon export market is staging a strong comeback in the 2024/25 marketing year (MY), breaking a four-year downward trend, according to data compiled by EastFruit. Favorable weather and a global drop in lemon production, especially a 33% fall in Turkey's output, have paved the way. From October 2024 to March 2025, Morocco shipped 6,100 tons of lemons, generating $2.7 million—its best half-year volume since MY 2020/21, with earnings almost matching the entire previous year. Though lemons rank third after mandarins and oranges in Morocco's citrus exports, they remain crucial for market diversity and steady, year-round supply, thanks to less seasonal fluctuation. Since MY 2019/20, lemon exports shrank, hitting a low of 5,000 tons in MY 2023/24. The drop stemmed from severe droughts in 2022-23, logistical challenges restricting access to key markets like Russia, and intensified competition from Turkey in Europe. 2024's improved climate boosted production, while Turkey's sharp output decline reopened doors in traditional markets. Mauritania leads as the biggest buyer, taking over 40% of citrus exports in H1 MY 2024/25. The UK market is growing fast, and exports to Russia and Canada resumed after interruptions. France and the Netherlands are also seeing renewed Moroccan lemon shipments. This trend is also boosted by Morocco's expansion to other markets : after two years, shipments to the US restarted; Sweden after four years; and new markets like Latvia and Kazakhstan received first shipments.
