Brazil's lime exports have been increasing on a yearly basis, with the European Union receiving the vast majority of volumes.

Brazil's national statistics service Aliceweb showed exports over the first trimester rose 13% year-on-year to 42,946 metric tons (MT), up from 38,129MT in 2016 and 37,897MT in 2015.

Exports to the EU over January to April this year grew at a slightly faster rate than the total growth, increasing 19% to 38,456MT, up from 32,275MT and 30,335MT the two years previous.

And shipments to Brazil's leading lime destination in the EU, the Netherlands, grew at an even faster rate, rising 31% year-on-year to 28,759MT.

The European country now receives two-third of lime exports from the South American country.

The U.K. is the second-largest European market for the fruit, receiving 17% of volumes, although volumes dropped 4% year-on-year.

Shipments to the United Arab Emirates halved year-on-year to 1,674MT, down from 3,825MT in 2016 and 5,120MT in 2015.

Brazilian lime exports typically remain high until around May or June, after which time they begin to decline.

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