Citrus fruit market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The Chilean citrus fruit market grew from 640 thousand tons in 2018 to 684 thousand tons in 2020, with a notable stabilization in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic increased global demand for citrus due to its nutritional value and vitamin C content, which supported production. During this period, the implementation of the 'Systems Approach' phytosanitary protocol facilitated exports to the United States by allowing inspection at origin and eliminating fumigation at destination.

Market volume expanded sharply to 826 thousand tons in 2021 and reached 1 038 thousand tons by 2023. Improved access to services for producers, including insurance, credit, and technical assistance as highlighted by the 2021 Agricultural Census, helped boost output. Furthermore, increased planting of citrus, particularly lemons, driven by higher profitability and adaptation to climate change, contributed to rising production in 2023.

For the 2024-2025 period, the industry focused on enhancing market access and export efficiency. Authorities and grower representatives engaged with key trading partners to open new markets and implement electronic phytosanitary certificates (e-Phytos), while logistical planning aimed to maintain competitiveness in international trade.

Production citrus fruit in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2018-2021

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2018-2021

Chile's citrus fruit production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 1 207.2 thousand tons of citrus fruit, marking a 16.0% rise compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production grew by 22.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.1%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Chile's citrus fruit production value has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 1 266 million US dollars, showing a slight increase of 1.7% over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value increased by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 136 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.5%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020 with a 9.6% rise.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Chile

Exports in kind, K t

Chile's citrus fruit exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 401.1 thousand tons, reflecting a measured improvement of 7.7% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 11.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 335.9 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.6%. The largest increase was seen in 2020 with a 10.8% rise.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the structure of Chile's citrus fruit exports in volume was dominated by the United States, which absorbed 85.1% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among numerous minor partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, the value of citrus fruit exports from Chile totaled 420.6 million US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 5.6% compared to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 380.7 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 10.6%. The highest value occurred in 2020 at 445.5 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 17.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States played a leading role in Chile's citrus fruit exports in value terms, accounting for 83.4% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed across other partners.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Chile

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Chile's citrus fruit imports stood at 20.0 thousand tons, constituting a rise of 29.4% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 28.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 8.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 15.5 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 14.9%.

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

Over the period 2018–2021, Peru and the United States together captured 89.4% of Chile's total citrus fruit imports in volume, with the rest of the flows thinly spread across other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Chile imported a total of 48.1 million US dollars worth of citrus fruit in 2021, which is 48.1% above the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 12.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 14.7 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 28.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, two leading markets—the United States and Peru—together accounted for 90.4% of Chile's total citrus fruit imports in value terms, while the remaining volume was dispersed across a wide range of other countries.

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

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