When are lemons cheapest?

The best time to buy lemons, from 20 years of U.S. government shelf prices.

Worth timing

Buy lemons in March if you can.

Over 2006–2025, lemons in March ran a typical 4% below the year’s trend price, and March was below it in 13 of 17 years. August is the dearest month (5% above): an 8-point swing.

Lemons: price by month

Typical price each month compared with that year’s trend, 2006–2025. The bar is the median year; the thin line spans the middle half of years.

−8%−6%−4%−2%trend+2%+4%+6%+8%JanJanuary: typically 1.1% below trend (half of years between −4% and +2.1%; 17 years)FebFebruary: typically 1.9% below trend (half of years between −6% and +0.4%; 17 years)Mar−4%March: typically 4% below trend (half of years between −7% and −0.5%; 17 years)AprApril: typically 4% below trend (half of years between −7% and −1.4%; 16 years)MayMay: typically 3% below trend (half of years between −5% and −0.5%; 16 years)JunJune: typically 2.2% below trend (half of years between −5% and +4%; 16 years)JulJuly: typically 1.8% above trend (half of years between −2% and +5%; 16 years)Aug+5%August: typically 5% above trend (half of years between −2.2% and +7%; 16 years)SepSeptember: typically 4% above trend (half of years between +1.3% and +8%; 16 years)OctOctober: typically 4% above trend (half of years between +1.7% and +7%; 16 years)NovNovember: typically 1.2% above trend (half of years between −0.3% and +4%; 16 years)DecDecember: typically 1.7% below trend (half of years between −2.9% and +0.3%; 16 years)
cheaper than the year’s trend dearer middle half of years
See the numbers as a table
MonthTypical vs trendMiddle half of yearsYears
January−1.1%−4% to +2.1%17
February−1.9%−6% to +0.4%17
March−4%−7% to −0.5%17
April−4%−7% to −1.4%16
May−3%−5% to −0.5%16
June−2.2%−5% to +4%16
July+1.8%−2% to +5%16
August+5%−2.2% to +7%16
September+4%+1.3% to +8%16
October+4%+1.7% to +7%16
November+1.2%−0.3% to +4%16
December−1.7%−2.9% to +0.3%16

What that means at today’s prices

The U.S. average price of lemons (per pound) was $2.14 in October 2026. At today’s price level, the typical March price is about $1.98 and the typical August price about $2.15.

Every year, its cheapest month

Each row is one year; the dot is the month lemons were cheapest relative to that year’s trend. March was the single cheapest month in 6 of 15 years; the rest of the time it moved around.

20242024: cheapest in May20232023: cheapest in October20182018: cheapest in May20172017: cheapest in March20162016: cheapest in March20152015: cheapest in March20142014: cheapest in April20132013: cheapest in March20122012: cheapest in January20112011: cheapest in June20102010: cheapest in March20092009: cheapest in March20082008: cheapest in December20072007: cheapest in July20062006: cheapest in JulyJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
See it as a table
YearCheapest month
2024May
2023October
2018May
2017March
2016March
2015March
2014April
2013March
2012January
2011June
2010March
2009March
2008December
2007July
2006July

More from the calendar

What else is cheap in March: what’s cheap in March. Fruit: strawberries (Jul), grapes (Sep), navel oranges (Apr), grapefruit (Mar), bananas (Dec), peaches (Aug), cherries (Jul). All 39 foods: the grocery price calendar.

Questions

What month are lemons cheapest?

March. Over 2006–2025 the U.S. average price of lemons in March was typically 4% below that year's trend, and below it in 13 of 17 years. August is the dearest month (5% above).

What is the most expensive month for lemons?

August, typically 5% above the year's trend price.

How much are lemons right now?

The U.S. average was $2.14 a pound in October 2026 (BLS Average Price Data).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Average Price Data (U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted), the shelf prices BLS collects every month for the Consumer Price Index, through October 2026. Seasonal pattern and every number on this page computed by Online List Maker; how.

Grocery price calendar Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Shared grocery list Grocery list template Grocery shopping calculator Turkey calculator
Online List Maker Privacy