Citrus fruit market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Greek citrus fruit production stood at 2.4 million tons, declining to 2.2 million tons in 2019 despite the expansion of the Agricultural Development Program and preparatory reforms to the EU Common Agricultural Policy aimed at sector support. Output recovered to 2.3 million tons in 2020, facilitated by investments for farm resilience and digital recovery under the national program, alongside the introduction of a new linked subsidy scheme for juice producers.

Production dipped again to 2.2 million tons in 2021, a year marked by a government campaign to install new farmers and include processing companies in the juice support system. The market rebounded in 2022 to 2.4 million tons, even as linked subsidies for orange juice were reduced, while new phytosanitary certification requirements for exports to Thailand began redirecting trade flows.

By 2023, production eased to 2.3 million tons, but the market's value rose to $1.3 billion due to a sharp doubling of industrial orange prices, driven by global supply shortages from disease in Brazil. Successful phytosanitary evaluations opened exports to Thailand, enhancing Asian market access. In 2024, new juice labeling rules and a Mercosur protection agreement for domestic producers further shaped the landscape, with a global production decline supporting price levels.

Production citrus fruit in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Greece ranked 23rd globally in citrus fruit production.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2020, Greece produced 2 342 K t of citrus fruit, representing a 5.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 18.7%, averaging 5.9% annually. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 402 K t, which marked a significant 21.7% increase. However, in 2019, production experienced its largest decline of 7.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit production in Greece reached 1 395 M $ US, showing a strong 21.8% growth compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 42.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.1%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018 at 29.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports citrus fruit from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Greece exported 462.6 K t of citrus fruit, which was 17.1% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 25.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 9.8%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 at 18.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece's citrus fruit exports were distributed across numerous countries. Romania accounted for 19.3% of exports in volume, Bulgaria for 12.5%, and Germany for 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented 42.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Greece's citrus fruit exports were valued at 275.4 M $ US, reflecting a 34.7% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 50.2%, averaging 14.5% annually. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 12.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, Romania, Germany, and Poland were notable but not dominant buyers of Greek citrus fruit in value terms. Romania accounted for 21.0% of export value, Germany for 13.8%, and Poland for 9.4%. Their combined share reached 44.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

Greece's citrus fruit imports increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 36.3 K t, which was 10.0% higher than in 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.7%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 32.5 K t, which represented the largest decline of 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina, South Africa, and the Netherlands were the main sources of citrus fruit imports to Greece in volume terms. Argentina accounted for 32.1% of imports, South Africa for 12.6%, and the Netherlands for 12.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 57.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Greece's citrus fruit imports increased in 2020, reaching 37.7 M $ US, which was 14.3% higher than the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 3.2%, with a compound annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 32.9 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 12.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina, the Netherlands, and South Africa were the primary suppliers of citrus fruit to Greece in value terms. Argentina accounted for 35.9% of import value, the Netherlands for 16.7%, and South Africa for 13.0%. Together, these three suppliers represented 65.6% of total import value.

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

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