Fresh Lemons and Limes Market Data, Grades and Trade

Editorial evidence reviewedReviewed 2026-09-12Release 2026-09-19-batch-230

Market value

$9B

Producing countries tracked

9

Grading systems

1

Active supply risks

3

Trade corridors

3

Latest reviewed evidence

The figures below are current U.S. grading and marketing requirements from USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The lemon standard took effect May 13, 2026; the lime grade index covers Persian limes. These requirements define product, grade, colour, condition, packing and claim boundaries. They do not establish current availability, certify a shipment, apply one species' specification to another, or provide a live delivered price.

Seedless-lemon maximum fruit containing seeds

6

fruit per 100-count composite sample, equivalent to 6 percent · USDA lemon standard effective 2026-05-13

Seedless-lemon container marking minimum

95

percent of containers, including consumer units · USDA lemon standard effective 2026-05-13

U.S. Combination lemon Grade No. 1 minimum

40

percent by count in each lot · USDA lemon standard effective 2026-05-13

Lemon standard-pack within-size minimum

90

percent by count within the applicable diameter range · USDA lemon standard effective 2026-05-13

Persian-lime juice-content minimum

42

percent by volume or weight · current USDA lime grade standard

U.S. No. 1 Persian-lime green surface minimum

75

percent of fruit surface · current USDA lime grade standard

Lemons and limes are separate trade identities

Lemons and Persian limes differ in grade language, colour expectations, maturity evidence, juice-content rules and buyer use. USDA lemon grades include U.S. No. 1, U.S. Export No. 1, U.S. Combination and U.S. No. 2. USDA Persian-lime grades use U.S. No. 1, U.S. Combination and U.S. No. 2 with Mixed Color and Turning designations where applicable. Atlas preserves species, variety and exact grade rather than applying one citrus specification to the other.

The 2026 seedless-lemon rule is a measurable claim

Under the USDA lemon standard effective May 13, 2026, a lot marked seedless may have no more than six fruit containing seeds in a 100-count composite sample, regardless of the number or development of the seeds in each fruit. At least 95 percent of containers, including consumer units, must be legibly marked seedless when the claim is used. Atlas retains the sample size, result and marking evidence with the claim.

Persian-lime colour and juice content belong with condition

The USDA lime standard attaches its grades to Persian limes. U.S. No. 1 fruit needs good green colour over at least three-fourths of the surface, while U.S. No. 2 uses at least one-half. The standard also sets a minimum juice content of 42 percent by volume or weight and grade-specific limits for decay, stylar-end breakdown, unhealed skins and other defects. Atlas records colour status, juice result, defect tolerance basis and inspection point together.

A grade standard is not a live physical price

Grades make lots comparable; they do not establish current supply or price. A delivered physical estimate still needs a defined species and variety, grade and claim status, size and count, maturity and juice evidence, origin and harvest, pack, condition and cold chain, current permitted observations, quantity, currency, Incoterm, destination, delivery window, freight and information vintage. Atlas withholds a physical estimate when those observations or usage rights are missing.

Questions procurement teams ask

Are lemons and limes one interchangeable Atlas commodity?

No. The page is a navigation cluster, but each physical lot keeps its species, commercial variety, grade, colour, maturity and buyer-use identity. Lemon requirements are not silently applied to Persian limes or vice versa.

What qualifies a lemon as seedless under the current USDA standard?

A 100-count composite sample may contain seeds in no more than six fruit. When the lot is marked seedless, at least 95 percent of containers, including consumer units, must carry the claim legibly.

What juice content does USDA require for Persian limes?

The USDA lime standard states at least 42 percent juice by volume or weight. The lot still needs grade, colour, condition, variety, size, origin and inspection evidence.

Which fields make fresh lemon or lime offers comparable?

Species and variety, exact grade, colour or turning designation, maturity, seedless claim and sample result for lemons, juice-content result for limes, count and diameter, defects and condition, origin and harvest, treatment and cold chain, pack, lot, quantity, currency, Incoterm, destination, delivery window and evidence date.