Citrus fruit market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Italy's citrus fruit market volume grew from 5.2 million tons to over 6.1 million tons. This expansion was underpinned by the implementation of a national strategy reorganizing fruit and vegetable producer organizations, which improved market structure. Concurrently, the sector underwent a significant restructuring toward new consumer-preferred varieties and more sustainable production models. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic altered consumption patterns, coinciding with a reported 12% increase in domestic citrus production, which further supplied the growing market.

Market growth continued at a more moderate pace through 2023, reaching 6.5 million tons. This period saw the introduction of new EU and Italian legislation supporting organic production, which stimulated the organic citrus segment. The industry simultaneously faced rising production and logistics costs, contributing to a notable 15.2% increase in consumer prices for citrus products in 2023. Investments in precision agriculture, AI-based crop monitoring, and sustainable irrigation technologies aimed to enhance competitiveness, while the consolidation of the 'Agrumi di Sicilia' umbrella brand helped promote premium, quality-differentiated produce.

Throughout the period, the market adapted to heightened international competition, particularly from Spain and Turkey, which influenced import dynamics. Although cultivated area slightly decreased, the market demonstrated resilience through a focus on quality, product diversification, and strengthened exports, which grew by 9% in 2021. The launch of support funds for disease containment and continued innovation in the supply chain supported overall market development.

Production citrus fruit in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy maintained the 13th position globally in citrus fruit production volume.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Italy's citrus fruit production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 5 880 K t of citrus fruit, representing a 1.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 014 K t, which marked the largest decline of 10.8%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 15.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's citrus fruit production value increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 7 544 M $ US, showing a robust 15.0% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 33.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 5 505 M $ US, which saw a decline of 2.3%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 19.2% jump.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's citrus fruit export volumes declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 229.0 K t, down 0.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.6%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 269.8 K t, which also recorded the largest increase of 5.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 14.4% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Switzerland were the top buyers of Italian citrus fruit in volume terms, accounting for 22.9%, 12.2%, and 9.3% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 44.4% of total export volumes, indicating a diversified market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's citrus fruit export value reached 293.8 M $ US, reflecting a substantial 12.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 14.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 296.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 15.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 11.7% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Switzerland were the primary destinations for Italian citrus fruit in value terms, contributing 25.1%, 14.0%, and 13.4% of exports, respectively. Their combined share totaled 52.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's citrus fruit imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 499.7 K t, up 9.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 2.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 414.5 K t, which marked the largest decline of 14.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 10.1% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, Spain, South Africa, and Argentina were the leading suppliers of citrus fruit to Italy in volume terms, accounting for 54.3%, 13.3%, and 6.5% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 74.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Italy's citrus fruit import value increased. In 2020, imports totaled 507.3 M $ US, showing a dramatic 25.5% uptick from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 404.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 8.1%.

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

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

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