Citrus fruit market in Israel

Earlier Report Observations

The Israeli citrus fruit market expanded from 736 thousand tons in 2018 to 816 thousand tons in 2019, driven by the introduction of new citrus varieties with unique flavors and aromas that boosted production, supported by the ongoing regulatory role of the Citrus Fruit Marketing Council. However, growth was interrupted in 2020 when market volume fell to 779 thousand tons amid a continued sector crisis characterized by shrinking cultivation areas and production volumes, alongside intense international competition.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021, with the market dropping to 636 thousand tons. This decline was primarily due to a sustained decrease in per capita fruit and vegetable consumption in Israel, coupled with significant price increases that dampened demand. The market rebounded dramatically in 2022, reaching 896 thousand tons, as leading agricultural organizations formed collaborations to improve efficiency and competitiveness, which helped increase output.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 882 thousand tons. Production remained steady, supported by the development of post-harvest preservation technologies, such as a new non-toxic magnesium-based product that extended shelf life, contributing to consistent supply.

Production citrus fruit in Israel

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Israel's citrus fruit production reached 989.8 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a moderate decline of 4.8% from the previous year. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 967.4 thousand tonnes, while the peak was recorded in 2019 at 1 039.3 thousand tonnes. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, with production rising by 7.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Israel's citrus fruit production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 046 million US dollars, representing a moderate gain of 8.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 810 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 25.5%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with an 18.8% rise.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Israel

Exports in kind, K t

Israel's citrus fruit export volume declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 210.5 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 5.8% from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 231.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel's citrus fruit exports were distributed across a broad range of markets. France accounted for 31.4% of export volume, Japan for 7.9%, and Russia for 7.0%. Together, these three countries represented 46.3% of total export volume, with many other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Israel's citrus fruit export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 222.5 million US dollars, a gain of 7.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 193.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.9%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Israel's citrus fruit export value was not concentrated in just a few key markets. France accounted for 32.7% of export value, the United States for 7.2%, and Japan for 6.9%. Collectively, these three destinations represented 46.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Israel

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, showing an 11.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign citrus fruit supplies to Israel reached 0.1 thousand tonnes, marking a significant decline of 17.7% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.1 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 584.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel's citrus fruit import volume came from a wide range of sources. Egypt accounted for 18.3% of import volume, Italy for 16.2%, and France for 14.5%. Together, these three countries represented 49.1% of total import flows, with the remaining 50.9% shared among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Israel's citrus fruit import value declined. In 2020, imports reached 0.1 million US dollars, a decrease of 12.9% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 80.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.1 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 60.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel's citrus fruit import value was distributed across multiple countries without clear dominance. Italy accounted for 17.9% of import value, Morocco for 16.0%, and Egypt for 15.4%. Together, these three sources represented 49.3% of total import flows.

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

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