Top Lemon and Lime Producing Countries

Lemon and lime cultivation traces its roots to Southeast Asia, where wild citrus species were first domesticated thousands of years ago. Over centuries, trade and exploration spread these fruits across the Middle East, Mediterranean, and eventually to the Americas with European colonization. Today, India stands as the world’s leading producer of lemons and limes, benefiting from its vast subtropical and tropical regions. Other top producers include Mexico, which dominates global lime exports, particularly to the United States; China, leveraging its diverse climates; Brazil, with extensive commercial citrus operations; and Argentina, known for its high-quality lemons. The global spread and adaptation of lemon and lime farming reflect both the fruits’ culinary and medicinal value and the historical movement of crops along ancient and modern trade routes.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat