Citrus fruit market in Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The Congo citrus fruit market volume expanded from 30 629 tons in 2018 to 31 303 tons in 2023, with domestic production gradually increasing from 29 972 tons to 30 518 tons over the same period. This growth was initially supported by the launch of the Agricultural Development and Commercialization Project (PDAC) in July 2018, which aimed to improve farm productivity and market access for producers and agribusinesses.

The market's development was further reinforced by broader policy frameworks, including the 2022-2026 National Development Plan. In 2022, the implementation of a new forest code and a national strategy for non-timber forest products explicitly included citrus fruits, providing a direct regulatory push for the sector amid general economic recovery and government diversification efforts.

In 2024, the government inaugurated two protected agricultural zones in Mossendjo and Mbanza Kaka to boost local production and received 100 tractors to accelerate farm mechanization. However, the deterioration of key infrastructure, such as the Miemiengue bridge, was noted as a challenge for the commercialization of agricultural output.

Production citrus fruit in Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Citrus fruit production in Congo has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Congo produced 30 492 tonnes of citrus fruit, marking a 0.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports citrus fruit from Congo

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly concentrated, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remained the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of citrus fruit from Congo, representing 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Congo

Imports in kind, t

Citrus fruit import volumes to Congo have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 539 tonnes, down by 11.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 53.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (59.5% of imports in kind), France (14.7% of imports in kind), and Spain (9.3% of imports in kind) were the main sources for citrus fruit imports to Congo, jointly accounting for 83.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of citrus fruit to Congo have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 457 thousand US dollars, representing a modest decrease of 7.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 56.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa and France remained the main markets for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 83.1% of total flows, while other partners made up the remaining share.

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

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