Citrus fruit market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market in India expanded from 25 142 thousand tons in 2018 to 28 033 thousand tons in 2019. This initial growth was fueled by increased production of mandarins, sweet oranges, and limes, supported by ongoing research and development projects at the ICAR Central Citrus Research Institute aimed at improving value-added products and crop-specific guidelines. A parallel focus on implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to enhance fruit quality for international markets further stimulated demand.

Market volume continued its upward trend, reaching 29 536 thousand tons by 2022. Sustained R&D efforts, which included optimizing genetic, environmental, and horticultural factors to maximize yield, supported production levels. The growing adoption of digital trading platforms like E-NAM improved market access and supply chain connectivity for farmers, contributing to steady market expansion during this period.

In 2023, the physical market volume saw a marginal decline to 29 302 thousand tons, while the market value experienced a more pronounced drop to 9 105 million US dollars. This decrease in value coincided with reports of volatile import prices and quality-related challenges, such as low sugar content and high limonin levels, which affected export competitiveness in key markets like the US and UK. The implementation of the Australia-India free trade agreement also introduced new dynamics into the trade environment during this year.

Production citrus fruit in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, India ranked as the third-largest producer of citrus fruit from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

India's citrus fruit production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 28 543 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 25%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, India's citrus fruit production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 11 214 million US dollars, down 0.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 28%, averaging an 8.6% annual growth rate. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 281 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 21.0% also occurring that year.

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

Exports citrus fruit from India

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 34.5 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 171.6 thousand tonnes, representing a fivefold increase. In 2020, foreign citrus fruit supplies from India surged by 144.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a drop of 35.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh and Nepal were the primary export partners for citrus fruit in volume terms, together accounting for 86.2% of total exports, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market experienced an unstable trend over these years. Exports bottomed out in 2018 at 12 815 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 67 419 thousand US dollars, showing a 5.3-fold difference. In 2020, India's citrus fruit exports jumped by 139.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 37.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, and Nepal led as the top buyers of Indian citrus fruit in value terms, with shares of 59.1%, 17.5%, and 16.6%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 93.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to India

Imports in kind, K t

The import market showed volatility during the observed period. Imports peaked in 2018 at 86.4 thousand tonnes and fell to their lowest in 2020 at 44.4 thousand tonnes, a 1.9-fold difference. In 2020, imported citrus fruit volumes in India dropped by 42.0% from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 72.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt was the dominant source for citrus fruit imports in volume terms, capturing 72.0% of total flows, while other markets contributed smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

India's citrus fruit import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 29 859 thousand US dollars, a sharp decrease of 32.7% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 6.2%, averaging an annual decline of 2.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 49 590 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 55.8% also occurring that year.

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

During 2017–2020, Egypt and South Africa dominated India's citrus fruit imports in value terms, together accounting for 86.5% of total flows, with other destinations contributing smaller individual amounts.

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

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