Citrus fruit market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, Brazil's citrus fruit market volume grew from 38 743 thousand tons to 39 284 thousand tons. This increase was driven by São Paulo, which produces 80% of the country's oranges, where modern farming techniques and equipment raised yields by 5%. Simultaneously, rising consumer preference for freshly squeezed orange juice bolstered domestic demand for table fruit.

The market dipped to 37 665 thousand tons by 2021 despite heightened demand for citrus fruits during the COVID-19 pandemic, which amplified health and immunity concerns. During this period, the industry maintained strong orange juice exports—about 95% of production—while the National Confederation of Agriculture worked to reduce the tax burden on natural juices and open new export markets.

Market volume rebounded to 39 356 thousand tons in 2022 and reached 40 898 thousand tons in 2023. The Russian invasion of Ukraine disrupted global citrus supply, creating export opportunities for Brazil. Dry weather in some regions reduced harvest quality and volume, lifting prices, and a sectoral project by ApexBrasil and CitrusBr invested US$ 1.56 million to promote Brazilian orange juice in Europe. Paraná also expanded its citrus area, diversifying into specialty juices.

Production citrus fruit in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil held the second position globally in citrus fruit production.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2018-2021

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2018-2021

Brazil's citrus fruit production declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 37 776 thousand tonnes of citrus fruit, marking a 2.7% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 2.7%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 39 346 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 1.3%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Brazil's citrus fruit production value dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 32 096 million US dollars, down 2.0% from 2020. The highest value occurred in 2019 at 33 893 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 6.7%. The most significant decline was in 2020 at 3.4%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Brazil

Exports in kind, K t

Brazil's citrus fruit exports grew for the second straight year. In 2021, export volume reached 148.7 thousand tonnes, showing a robust 17.4% year-over-year increase. From 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 19.9%, averaging 6.2% annually. The lowest point was in 2019 at 108.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 13.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Spain consistently led Brazil's export destinations by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 62.7% of exports, the United Kingdom for 14.0%, and Spain for 6.1%, together making up 82.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Brazil's citrus fruit export value increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 126.4 million US dollars, a strong 18.3% rise from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 24.5%, with an average annual rate of 7.6%. The minimum was in 2019 at 93.0 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest decline of 8.3%.

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

During 2018-2021, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Spain remained Brazil's top buyers by value. The Netherlands represented 63.9% of export value, the United Kingdom 15.3%, and Spain 5.9%, collectively accounting for 85.2% of total exports.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Brazil

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Brazil's citrus fruit imports stood at 37.5 thousand tonnes, a notable 11.9% increase from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 11.3%, averaging 3.6% per year. The minimum was in 2020 at 33.5 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 26.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 45.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 36.1%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain and Uruguay dominated Brazil's import sources by volume, together accounting for 89.9% of total flows, while other markets had smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Brazil imported about 33.0 million US dollars of citrus fruit in 2021, a modest 3.7% year-over-year increase. The lowest value was in 2020 at 31.8 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 16.3%. The highest was in 2019 at 38.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 16.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain and Uruguay were the primary sources of Brazil's citrus fruit imports by value, jointly making up 90.6% of total flows, with other markets contributing minimally.

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

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