Citrus fruit market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market in Australia and New Zealand contracted in 2019 to 884 thousand tonnes but rebounded strongly thereafter, reaching 1 454 thousand tonnes by 2023. This recovery and subsequent growth were fueled by industry-wide investments in new orchard plantings targeting high-demand Asian markets, alongside sustained research and development to introduce new consumer-preferred citrus varieties with traits like easy peeling and fewer seeds.

Strong export demand from China and Japan, despite occasional supply chain and labor challenges from COVID-19, provided a consistent outlet for production. Concurrently, health-conscious consumer trends bolstered domestic juice consumption, leading to product innovations such as 'Juice For Good' made from imperfect fruit. The industry maintained momentum through dedicated market development programs focusing on export compliance and technical market access.

While weather events like La Niña and cyclones in New Zealand posed production challenges, the sector's expansion into diverse growing regions and the strategic focus on quality and sustainability helped sustain market volume growth. The ongoing entry of large-scale orchards and the adaptation to global supply chain dynamics further supported the market's expansion through the period.

Production citrus fruit in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2018-2021

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2018-2021

Citrus fruit production in Australia and New Zealand has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, production reached 1 474 K t, marking a significant 22.7% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 22.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 136 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 5.7%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Citrus fruit production in Australia and New Zealand has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 2 048 M $ US, showing a sharp improvement of 34.8% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value rose by 26.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 425 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.0%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of citrus fruit from Australia and New Zealand declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports stood at 251.4 K t, reflecting a slight drop of 1.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 2.4%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 297.3 K t, which saw the largest increase of 15.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 13.9%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, the three largest markets—China, Japan, and Hong Kong—remained central to exports in kind, collectively accounting for 53.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Australia and New Zealand's citrus fruit exports were valued at 349.2 M $ US, showing an advance of 8.0% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 323.5 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 372.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 13.2%.

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

In 2018–2021, China (28.8% of exports in value terms), Japan (17.3%), and Hong Kong (9.5%) formed the main group of destinations for citrus fruit exports from Australia and New Zealand, with a combined share of 55.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, citrus fruit deliveries to Australia and New Zealand declined. In 2021, imports stood at 40.1 K t, reflecting a robust drop of 14.5% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 3.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 46.9 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 8.8%.

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

Over 2018–2021, the United States (65.8% of imports in kind), Egypt (11.4%), and Israel (1.7%) led the ranking of suppliers of citrus fruit to Australia and New Zealand, with their combined share reaching 78.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Australia and New Zealand imported 67.9 M $ US worth of citrus fruit, reflecting a sharp drop of 26.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 10.4%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 67.1 M $ US, while the highest was in 2020 at 91.8 M $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 36.9%.

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

In 2018–2021, the United States remained the main market for imports in value terms, with a share of 70.8% of total flows, while the rest of the volume was distributed across numerous other destinations.

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

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