Moroccan lemons are making an impressive comeback in the UK market. During the 2024/2025 season, Morocco shipped 1,200 tonnes of lemons to the United Kingdom—a staggering fortyfold increase in just one year. This volume alone surpasses the country’s total lemon exports to the UK over the past decade, according to data from the specialist platform EastFruit.
From November 2024 to August 2025, these exports generated $920,000 in revenue, setting a new all-time record and beating the previous high set in 2007/2008 by 12%. The surge is a clear signal of Morocco’s citrus industry repositioning itself after years of stagnation, with a renewed focus on expanding into new international markets.
The UK, already a key destination for Moroccan raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, mandarins, watermelons, and avocados, is proving to be fertile ground for a broader range of exports. Lemons had played only a minor role in this mix until now, but this recent breakthrough suggests a strong growth trajectory and a shift in market dynamics.
Despite this progress, the UK lemon market remains largely in the grip of dominant players—Spain, South Africa, and Brazil—who together account for more than 80% of total imports. The Netherlands and Germany also maintain significant shares, well ahead of Morocco, which is only just beginning to establish a foothold.
Still, the transformation is striking. In just four seasons, Morocco has climbed from 31st to 11th place among the UK’s lemon suppliers, overtaking countries like Vietnam and Mexico. This rapid rise reflects the renewed strength and ambition of Morocco’s fruit export sector, which is steadily redrawing its international footprint.
