Citrus fruit market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market volume in Northern Africa expanded from 17 386 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 19 595 thousand tonnes in 2022, though with some interim fluctuations. Initial growth was supported by rising global demand for citrus juices in emerging economies, which encouraged production. However, in 2020, new consumer demand in France for tree-ripened citrus fruit led to increased exports from the region, temporarily reducing domestic market availability.

In 2021, shifts in global trade flows, with Egypt strengthening its position as a leading exporter, contributed to a reduction in exports from Northern Africa, thereby increasing the internal market volume. The following year, abnormal weather conditions across the Mediterranean significantly reduced citrus production in Morocco due to heat stress and water shortages, but this was partly offset by increased output in Egypt. To bolster competitiveness, the Moroccan government implemented an export subsidy of 1 dirham per kilogram.

By 2023, the market volume adjusted to 19 085 thousand tonnes, reflecting the ongoing effects of variable production and trade patterns in the region.

Production citrus fruit in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Citrus fruit production in Northern Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 20 806 thousand tons of citrus fruit, marking a 1.0% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit output in Northern Africa was 13 190 million US dollars, down 14.3% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 919 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 15 391 million US dollars. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 29.1%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Northern Africa exported 2 149 thousand tons of citrus fruit in 2020, representing a 28.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 45.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.3%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 16.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 35.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner portfolio for citrus fruit from Northern Africa in kind was quite broad. Russia accounted for 23.6% of exports in kind, Saudi Arabia for 9.7%, and the Netherlands for 9.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 42.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of citrus fruit from Northern Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 1 362 million US dollars, showing a moderate improvement of 9.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 32.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, exports in value terms of citrus fruit from Northern Africa were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Russia contributed 21.5% of exports in value terms, Saudi Arabia 10.4%, and the Netherlands 9.5%. Combined, these three markets accounted for only 41.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 thousand ton and peaked in 2019 at 6 thousand tons, with a 7.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa's citrus fruit import volume was 4 thousand tons, a decline of 34.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 77.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 633.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind for citrus fruit to Northern Africa was highly diversified. Syria accounted for 9.9% of imports in kind, Spain for 6.3%, and Turkey for 4.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 21.1% of total import flows, with a long tail of smaller markets making up the remaining 78.9%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values were at their lowest in 2018 at 1 million US dollars and reached their highest in 2019 at 5 million US dollars, varying 6.6 times between these years. In 2020, citrus fruit deliveries to Northern Africa were recorded at 4 million US dollars, which is 25.4% lower compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 75.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 556.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for imports in value terms of citrus fruit to Northern Africa was quite broad. Syria accounted for 10.5% of imports in value terms, Spain for 6.4%, and Lebanon for 4.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 21.8% of total import flows.

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

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