Citrus fruit market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. citrus fruit market volume reached 15.2 million tons in 2019 before entering a sustained decline, dropping to 9.4 million tons by 2023. This contraction was primarily driven by the spread of citrus greening disease, which damaged tree health and reduced yields, and was exacerbated by severe weather events such as Hurricane Ian in 2022 that destroyed significant acreage in Florida.

High production costs, with labor accounting for up to 38.5% of expenses, pressured farm viability. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and labor availability, contributing to further production decreases. While imports increased to over 400 thousand tons, they were insufficient to offset the domestic decline in overall market volume.

Production citrus fruit in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2019, Northern America produced 14,812 thousand tonnes of citrus fruit, marking the highest output in recent years. However, production dropped to 14,293 thousand tonnes in 2020, a decrease of 3.5% from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 11,110 thousand tonnes. That year saw the largest decline of 20.7%, while 2019 experienced the most significant increase of 33.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit production in Northern America was $14,924 million US, showing a substantial year-over-year decline of 20.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 23.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 20.1%, followed by the largest increase in 2019, also at 20.1%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of citrus fruit from Northern America declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.1 thousand tonnes, down 3.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 62.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -27.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, France, and Germany were consistently the main destinations for citrus fruit exports from Northern America in volume terms. China accounted for 51.5% of exports, France for 24.7%, and Germany for 8.3%. Together, these three countries represented 84.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Citrus fruit exports from Northern America declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached $0.1 million US, reflecting a sharp decrease of 20.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 71.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -34.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, France, and Germany were the largest buyers of citrus fruit from Northern America in value terms. China made up 55.3% of exports, France 20.9%, and Germany 10.3%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 86.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of citrus fruit into Northern America increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 375.1 thousand tonnes, up 6.4% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 328.4 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 23.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, citrus fruit imports into Northern America came from a diverse range of markets. Morocco accounted for 14.8% of imports in volume, South Africa for 14.3%, and Spain for 11.2%. Together, these three countries represented 40.3% of total imports, while many smaller destinations contributed the remaining 59.7%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, citrus fruit imports into Northern America were valued at $614.2 million US, showing a controlled increase of 7.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $569.7 million US, which saw the largest decline of 7.4%. The highest value occurred in 2018 at $615.4 million US.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for citrus fruit imports into Northern America in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Morocco accounted for 16.5% of imports, South Africa for 13.3%, and Spain for 10.4%. Together, these three countries represented 40.2% of total import flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 59.8%.

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

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