India is the world's largest producer of lemons, growing over 3.6 million metric tonnes annually ā accounting for roughly 16% of global lemon supply. From the farms of Gudur in Andhra Pradesh to the wholesale markets of Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi, lemons are one of India's most important agricultural commodities.
Whether you're a juice company sourcing bulk lemons, a hotel procurement manager looking for a reliable supplier, or a wholesaler wanting to buy lemons by the tonne ā this guide covers everything you need to know about lemons in India.
Types of Lemons Grown in India
India grows several varieties of lemons, each suited to different uses ā from fresh juice to pickles, exports to retail. Here are the most important varieties:
1. Kagzi Lime (Kagzi Nimbu)
The most widely grown lemon variety in India. Kagzi lime is small, round, thin-skinned, and extremely juicy. It has a strong acidic flavour and is the variety most commonly used for fresh juice, lemonade, and cooking. Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan are the top producers.
- Best for: Fresh juice, restaurants, hotels, quick commerce
- Season: Year-round (3 crops/year in AP)
- Wholesale price: ā¹30ā80/kg depending on season
2. Assam Lemon (Kaji Nemu)
A rare and highly aromatic lemon variety native to Assam. Larger than Kagzi lime with a distinctive fragrance. Considered one of the finest lemons in the world. Used in Assamese cuisine and increasingly exported to premium markets.
- Best for: Premium retail, export, specialty restaurants
- Main producing state: Assam
- Wholesale price: ā¹60ā150/kg
3. Eureka Lemon
A large, yellow, seedless variety introduced from California. Grown primarily in Himachal Pradesh and parts of Maharashtra. Popular for export markets and premium hotels that prefer the large yellow appearance.
- Best for: Export, premium retail, hotel presentation
- Main producing states: Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra
- Wholesale price: ā¹70ā120/kg
4. Galgal (Hill Lemon)
A large, rough-skinned lemon variety grown in the hills of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Very thick rind, used primarily for pickling and making lemon pickle (achar). Strong flavour, low juice content.
- Best for: Pickle manufacturing, food processing
- Main producing states: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand
5. Sweet Lime (Mosambi)
Technically a citrus hybrid rather than a true lemon, but widely sold alongside lemons in Indian markets. Mild, sweet flavour. One of the most consumed fresh juices in India, especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
- Best for: Fresh juice bars, street food vendors, retail
- Main producing states: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka
| Variety | Size | Taste | Best Use | Top State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kagzi Lime | Small | Acidic, juicy | Juice, cooking | Andhra Pradesh |
| Assam Lemon | Medium | Aromatic, mild | Premium, export | Assam |
| Eureka | Large | Tangy, seedless | Export, hotels | Maharashtra |
| Galgal | Very large | Strong, thick rind | Pickling | Himachal Pradesh |
| Sweet Lime | Medium-large | Sweet, mild | Fresh juice | Maharashtra |
Top Lemon Growing States in India
Lemon cultivation in India is spread across multiple states, with Andhra Pradesh consistently leading production. Here is a state-by-state breakdown:
| State | Key Districts | Variety | Annual Production | Key Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Nellore (Gudur), Kurnool, Kadapa | Kagzi Lime | ~1.1 million MT | Gudur APMC, Delhi, Bangalore |
| Maharashtra | Nashik, Aurangabad, Vidarbha | Kagzi, Eureka | ~600,000 MT | Mumbai APMC, Pune |
| Tamil Nadu | Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tirunelveli | Kagzi Lime | ~400,000 MT | Chennai, Bangalore |
| Rajasthan | Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer | Kagzi Lime | ~300,000 MT | Delhi, Jaipur |
| Gujarat | Anand, Mehsana, Banaskantha | Kagzi Lime | ~250,000 MT | Ahmedabad, Mumbai |
| Karnataka | Kolar, Tumkur, Chitradurga | Kagzi, Assam | ~200,000 MT | Bangalore APMC |
| Assam | Kamrup, Dibrugarh | Kaji Nemu (Assam Lemon) | ~150,000 MT | Guwahati, Export |
| Odisha | Cuttack, Puri, Koraput | Kagzi Lime | ~120,000 MT | Bhubaneswar, Kolkata |
Need Bulk Lemons from Gudur?
AgriLemon supplies Grade A fresh lemons directly from Gudur farms. Minimum 500 kg. Pan India delivery. GST invoice included.
Lemon Wholesale Price in India (2026)
Lemon prices in India vary significantly by season, region, grade, and quantity. Below are indicative wholesale prices as of early 2026. Prices are for fresh Kagzi lime unless specified.
| Market / City | Grade A (per kg) | Grade B (per kg) | Bulk 1 Tonne+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gudur APMC (farm gate) | ā¹30ā50/kg | ā¹20ā35/kg | Negotiable |
| Bangalore Wholesale | ā¹65ā90/kg | ā¹50ā70/kg | ā¹60ā80/kg |
| Mumbai APMC | ā¹60ā95/kg | ā¹45ā65/kg | ā¹55ā75/kg |
| Delhi Azadpur | ā¹55ā100/kg | ā¹40ā70/kg | ā¹50ā80/kg |
| Chennai APMC | ā¹55ā85/kg | ā¹40ā60/kg | ā¹50ā70/kg |
| Hyderabad | ā¹60ā90/kg | ā¹45ā65/kg | ā¹55ā75/kg |
What Affects Lemon Prices in India?
- Season: Prices peak in April-June (summer demand for lemonades) and drop post-monsoon when supply increases
- Grade: Grade A (uniform size, no blemishes) commands 20-30% premium over Grade B
- Quantity: Orders above 1 tonne typically get 10-15% discount over spot market rate
- Transport: Lemons from Gudur to Bangalore add ā¹3ā5/kg freight cost
- Rainfall: Poor monsoon years can spike prices by 30-50%
Health Benefits of Lemons
Lemons are one of nature's most powerful fruits, packed with nutrients and used for centuries in both cooking and medicine. Here are the key health benefits:
Rich in Vitamin C
One lemon provides about 30mg of Vitamin C ā nearly 50% of daily requirement. Boosts immunity, fights infections, supports collagen production.
Heart Health
Regular lemon consumption reduces blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. The flavonoids in lemons protect against heart disease.
Weight Management
Lemon water improves metabolism and reduces calorie intake. Pectin fibre in lemons helps you feel full for longer.
Digestive Health
The citric acid in lemons aids digestion, prevents kidney stones, and promotes regular bowel movements.
Skin Health
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis. Lemon juice applied topically reduces blemishes and brightens skin tone.
Iron Absorption
Vitamin C in lemons significantly boosts iron absorption from plant-based foods ā critical for preventing anaemia.
Antioxidants
Lemons contain powerful antioxidants including hesperidin and diosmin which reduce inflammation and protect cells.
Kidney Stones
Citric acid in lemon juice increases urine volume and pH, creating a less favourable environment for kidney stone formation.
Nutritional Value of Lemon (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 29 kcal | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 53 mg | 88% |
| Dietary Fibre | 2.8 g | 11% |
| Potassium | 138 mg | 4% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.08 mg | 6% |
| Folate | 11 mcg | 3% |
| Calcium | 26 mg | 3% |
| Iron | 0.6 mg | 3% |
Uses of Lemons ā Industries That Buy Bulk Lemons
Understanding who buys bulk lemons in India helps appreciate the scale of demand. These are the key industries:
1. Beverage Industry
Juice companies, nimbu pani manufacturers, cold drink brands, and lemon concentrate producers are the largest bulk buyers of lemons in India. Companies like Paper Boat, Raw Pressery, and thousands of local juice manufacturers buy lemons by the tonne every week. A mid-size juice factory can consume 5ā20 tonnes of lemons per week.
2. Quick Commerce & Online Grocery
Platforms like Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Amazon Fresh collectively sell thousands of tonnes of lemons monthly across India. They source from verified bulk suppliers with consistent quality and reliable delivery schedules.
3. Hotel & Restaurant Industry
Every hotel kitchen, restaurant, and dhaba in India uses lemons daily. A large hotel chain with 50 properties can consume 500 kg to 2 tonnes of lemons per week for cooking, garnishing, and beverages.
4. Food Processing
Lemon pickle manufacturers, lemon powder producers, and essential oil extractors buy lemons in bulk. Lemon pickle alone is a multi-thousand crore industry in India.
5. Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics
Vitamin C manufacturers, cosmetic companies making lemon-based skincare, and Ayurvedic medicine producers source lemons in large quantities.
6. Export Market
India exports lemons primarily to UAE, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, and Oman. Export buyers look for Grade A or export-quality lemons with proper documentation including phytosanitary certificates and APEDA approval.
| Buyer Type | Weekly Volume | Grade Required | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juice Companies | 5ā50 tonnes | A or B Grade | High juice content |
| Quick Commerce (Zepto, Blinkit) | 2ā10 tonnes | Grade A only | FSSAI, consistent size |
| Hotel Chains | 500 kgā2 tonnes | Grade A | Uniform size, fresh |
| Wholesale Markets (APMC) | 5ā100 tonnes | Mixed grades | Volume, competitive price |
| Exporters | 10ā50 tonnes | Export Grade | Phytosanitary certificate |
| Food Processors | 2ā20 tonnes | B Grade acceptable | High acidity, bulk packing |
Buy Bulk Lemons Direct from Gudur Farms
AgriLemon supplies all buyer types ā juice companies, hotels, exporters, wholesale markets. Minimum 500 kg. Grade A & export quality available.
How to Buy Bulk Lemons in India
If you're a business looking to source bulk lemons ā here is a complete guide to your options:
Option 1: Buy Direct from Farmers (Best Price)
Buying directly from farmers in Gudur, Krishnagiri, or Nashik gives you the lowest price ā typically ā¹30ā55/kg at farm gate. However, you need to manage your own logistics, quality verification, and multiple farmer relationships. This works best for very large buyers (10+ tonnes/week).
Option 2: Buy Through AgriLemon (Best Value)
AgriLemon acts as your sourcing partner ā we handle farmer relationships, quality verification, logistics, and documentation. You get near-farm-gate pricing (ā¹65ā80/kg in Bangalore) with full service. Minimum order 500 kg.
- Grade A and export quality available
- Pan India delivery ā Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad
- GST invoice, delivery receipts
- 2ā4 day delivery from order confirmation
- Contact: +91 95354 07507 or agrilemonoffical@gmail.com
Option 3: Buy from APMC Wholesale Markets
Visit your nearest APMC market ā KR Market Bangalore, Azadpur Delhi, Vashi Mumbai, or APMC Chennai. You can buy large volumes but prices include 2ā3 layers of middlemen markup. Expect to pay ā¹80ā110/kg in major cities.
Option 4: IndiaMART / TradeIndia
Post a buying requirement on IndiaMART or ExportersIndia. You'll receive quotes from multiple suppliers. Good for price comparison but quality varies ā always ask for samples before placing large orders.
ā¢ Confirm grade (A, B, or export quality)
ā¢ Confirm variety (Kagzi lime vs other)
ā¢ Ask for sample before first large order
ā¢ Clarify packaging ā loose, gunny bag, or carton
ā¢ Confirm delivery timeline and freight terms
ā¢ Ask for GST invoice if you're a registered business
ā¢ For export ā confirm phytosanitary certificate availability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order to buy bulk lemons in India?
Most bulk suppliers including AgriLemon have a minimum order of 500 kg. For APMC markets, you can buy smaller quantities but pricing is higher. For orders above 1 tonne, you can negotiate better per-kg pricing.
What is the best lemon variety for juice making?
Kagzi lime is the best variety for juice making in India. It has the highest juice content (45-50% by weight), strong citric acid flavour, and is available year-round. Andhra Pradesh Gudur lemon (Kagzi variety) is particularly prized for its juice quality.
Which state produces the most lemons in India?
Andhra Pradesh is India's top lemon producing state, with over 1.1 million metric tonnes annually. Gudur in Nellore district is the single largest lemon market in AP. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are the second and third largest producers.
How to check lemon quality before buying bulk?
Look for firm skin without blemishes, uniform size, good weight (indicating high juice content), and fresh fragrance. Grade A lemons have uniform colour (yellow-green), no cuts or bruises, and minimum 40g weight per fruit. Always request a physical sample before your first large order.
What is the lemon price per kg in Bangalore wholesale?
In 2026, fresh Kagzi lime wholesale price in Bangalore ranges from ā¹60ā90/kg for Grade A and ā¹45ā70/kg for Grade B, depending on season. Peak summer months (April-June) see higher prices due to demand. AgriLemon supplies at ā¹65ā80/kg direct from Gudur farms.
Can I buy lemons directly from Gudur farmers?
Yes. AgriLemon sources directly from 100+ verified farmers in Gudur and surrounding mandals. We handle collection, quality verification, and delivery to your location across India. Contact us at +91 95354 07507.
How many kg of lemons does 1 acre of farm produce?
A well-maintained lemon orchard in Andhra Pradesh produces approximately 8,000ā12,000 kg per acre per year across three harvests. Gudur farmers typically cultivate 2ā10 acres each, meaning individual farmers can supply 16,000ā120,000 kg annually.