Citrus fruit market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

The Australian citrus fruit market volume contracted to 821,000 tons in 2019 from 933,000 tons the previous year, largely due to the Biosecurity (Citrus Canker) Amendment Regulation 2019 in Queensland. This regulation restricted the movement of plant material to contain citrus canker, temporarily reducing production yields.

Market volume recovered to 932,000 tons in 2020 and grew to 1,201,000 tons by 2021. This expansion was supported by the ongoing implementation of export accreditation systems for packhouses and increased adoption of agricultural technologies and traceability, which improved production efficiency and quality.

Growth continued, reaching 1,390,000 tons in 2023. This was fueled by rising domestic consumer demand for organic and sustainable citrus products, innovation in processed segments like powders and concentrates, and expanded export opportunities to Asian markets under free trade agreements that reduced tariffs.

Production citrus fruit in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Australia ranked 29th globally in citrus fruit production volume.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2018-2021

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2018-2021

Australia's citrus fruit production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 1 425.0 thousand tonnes of citrus fruit, marking a 23.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 23.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 088.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Australia's citrus fruit production value increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 1 986 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 36.1% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 27.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 365 million US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports citrus fruit from Australia

Exports in kind, K t

Citrus fruit exports from Australia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 244.8 thousand tonnes, down 2.2% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 291.1 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 15.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 14.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, China, Japan, and Hong Kong were the main destinations for Australia's citrus fruit exports in volume terms. China accounted for 23.1% of exports, Japan for 16.6%, and Hong Kong for 13.2%. Together, these three markets absorbed 52.9% of Australia's total citrus fruit exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Australia's citrus fruit exports totaled 341.2 million US dollars, up 7.8% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 316.6 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 13.2%. The highest value occurred in 2019 at 364.8 million US dollars.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, China, Japan, and Hong Kong formed the core group of markets for Australia's citrus fruit exports in value terms. China represented 29.2% of exports, Japan 16.6%, and Hong Kong 9.7%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 55.5% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports citrus fruit to Australia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Australia's citrus fruit imports reached 21.0 thousand tonnes, down 25.6% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 21.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 28.3 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 21.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States was the primary supplier of citrus fruit to Australia, accounting for 76.6% of total imports in volume terms. Other partners held relatively modest shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From 2019 to 2020, the value swung from a low to a high, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Australia's citrus fruit imports totaled 43.2 million US dollars, representing a sharp 35.6% decrease from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 39.3 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 67.0 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 70.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over the 2018-2021 period, the United States was the dominant source for Australia's citrus fruit imports in value terms, accounting for 78.6% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021