Citrus fruit market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the citrus fruit market volume in the CIS fluctuated, reaching 2.11 million tonnes in 2023. The initial increase in 2019 was supported by steady import supplies from Turkey, Egypt, and Abkhazia. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated sanctions disrupted logistics, leading to a temporary market contraction. Recovery in 2021 was driven by increased mandarin imports and growing consumer interest in natural products. Another decline in 2022 resulted from currency fluctuations and tightening sanctions, which hampered import operations. By 2023, the market expanded again, aided by larger shipments from Middle Eastern countries and rising domestic citrus production.

Domestic citrus production in the CIS grew consistently, from 144 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 182 thousand tonnes in 2023. This increase was partly linked to expanded processing, including frozen product output, whose popularity rose due to storage convenience. Simultaneously, consumer preferences shifted toward healthy eating, sustaining demand for citrus as a source of vitamins and natural flavors, which was also reflected in the growing fruit juice market.

In 2024, citrus imports into the CIS remained substantial, exceeding 1.9 million tonnes, with a notable rise in mandarin shipments to Kuban. The trend of diversifying suppliers with Middle Eastern countries continued, helping to smooth seasonal fluctuations. The impact of sanctions and currency factors on logistics and pricing persisted, but steady demand from consumers and the processing industry supported market activity.

Production citrus fruit in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2020, CIS countries produced 149.3 thousand tons of citrus fruit, representing a modest 4.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 21.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.4%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, with a 17.1% rise.

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

Exports citrus fruit from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Between 2017 and 2020, cross-border shipments of citrus fruit from CIS countries varied significantly, with a 1.8-fold difference between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2020. In 2020, exports reached 29 thousand tons, marking a moderate 7.2% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 6.6% drop, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018, with a substantial 79.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine and Mongolia consistently held the top positions in the export structure by volume, together accounting for 27.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, CIS's citrus fruit export value declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 28 million US dollars, representing a sharp 25.8% contraction from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 30.5%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 9.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 37 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 45.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Ukraine and Mongolia formed the main group of markets for exports in value terms, together accounting for 21.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year increase, foreign citrus fruit supplies to CIS countries declined. In 2020, imports totaled 2 007 thousand tons, which is 1.9% lower compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 10.7%, with an average annual rate of 3.5%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 007 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with an 11.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco remained the key sources for imports by volume, with shares of 36.1%, 15.3%, and 11.6%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 63.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, imported citrus fruit volumes in CIS countries declined. In 2020, the import value was recorded at 1 465 million US dollars, equivalent to a 2.8% drop compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 6.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The maximum value was in 2019 at 1 507 million US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 5.9% rise.

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

In 2017–2020, Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco formed the main cluster of markets for imports in value terms, with shares of 33.3%, 12.8%, and 12.6%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 58.7% of total flows.

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

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