Citrus fruit market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, China's citrus fruit market volume expanded from 79 934 thousand tons to 94 177 thousand tons, driven by government-led industry consolidation and shifting production bases. The Ministry of Agriculture's Citrus Advantage Regional Development Plan (2018-2025) explicitly promoted industrial agglomeration and encouraged a westward转移 of orchards, which supported steady output growth. Simultaneously, rising health consciousness among consumers and the boom in online fresh produce trade boosted demand for fresh citrus, further lifting domestic consumption.

The market value, however, peaked at 129.4 billion US dollars in 2020 before declining to 96.6 billion by 2023, as price pressures mounted from 2020 onward. Farm-gate prices had dropped that year, and increased production, including from new growers entering the orange segment, intensified competition and kept prices under downward pressure through 2023 and into 2024.

The industry also saw structural shifts, with new players—including first-time orange growers—entering the market in 2023. Product diversification accelerated, spurred by health trends that fueled demand for citrus fiber and processed items like juices. Internationally, the RCEP agreement and Belt and Road Initiative opened export channels to Vietnam and Russia, while imports of premium citrus from South Africa grew to satisfy高端 demand.

Production citrus fruit in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China was the world's largest producer of citrus fruit.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, citrus fruit production in China declined. In 2020, China produced 86 427 thousand tonnes of citrus fruit, a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 13.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 86 967 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 8.2% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

China's citrus fruit production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 130.4 billion US dollars, showing a robust gain of 19.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 23.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 103.1 billion US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.2% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports citrus fruit from China

Exports in kind, K t

Citrus fruit exports from China increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 045 thousand tonnes, up by 3.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 35.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China's citrus fruit exports in kind were distributed across a wide range of markets. The top destinations—Vietnam (22.1% of exports in kind), Russia (13.5%), and the Netherlands (8.2%)—together accounted for only 43.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Citrus fruit export volumes from China increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, China exported 1 578 million US dollars worth of citrus fruit, representing a strong year-over-year rise of 24.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 47.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 13.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, China supplied citrus fruit to many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Vietnam, Thailand, and Russia—together represented only 48.0% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from China in value, 2017-2020

Imports citrus fruit to China

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, the volume of citrus fruit imports into China declined. In 2020, imports stood at 435 thousand tonnes, down by 23.3% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 567 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase of 14.3% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017–2020, South Africa (35.9% of imports in kind), Egypt (26.4%), and Australia (14.4%) formed the core of China's citrus fruit imports, together accounting for 76.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Citrus fruit shipments into China from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 497 million US dollars, marking a significant reduction of 16.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 10%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 633 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.7% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (31.5% of imports in value terms), Australia (22.5%), and Egypt (17.5%) led the ranking of suppliers of citrus fruit to China, with their combined share reaching 71.5% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to China in value, 2017-2020