Citrus fruit market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Southern European citrus fruit market volume stood at 18 740 thousand tons, declining to 17 741 thousand tons in 2019. This contraction coincided with increased production and logistics costs that pressured the industry. European regulations, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), introduced stricter labeling and traceability requirements, affecting the supply chain. Consumer preferences shifted toward premium products and sustainability, supporting value demand, while cooperatives and state-owned companies strengthened their market presence.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly altered market dynamics: demand for citrus fruits rose due to health concerns, driving market volume up to 19 472 thousand tons. Restrictions impacted logistics, raising transportation costs. Cooperatives and state-owned firms adopted measures to ensure continuity, investing in renewable energy and sustainability. In 2021, market volume stabilized at 19 518 thousand tons, but tighter phytosanitary norms and export protocols created additional hurdles for foreign market access.

Market volume dropped to 17 588 thousand tons in 2022 amid rising production costs, high sea freight rates, and heightened international competition, particularly from Turkey. By 2023, volume recovered to 18 767 thousand tons, while the market value surged to 24 707 million USD, reflecting a consumption shift toward discount and premium segments, as well as sustained demand for high-quality, health-oriented citrus fruits. Cooperatives and state-owned entities continued to consolidate their role in the market.

Production citrus fruit in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In Southern Europe, citrus fruit production reached 22 667 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 7.5% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 21 076 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 4.1% during this timeframe.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of citrus fruit production in Southern Europe stood at 25 128 million US dollars in 2020, representing a significant 24.2% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 21.5%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 6.7%. The lowest value was observed in 2019 at 20 230 million US dollars, which experienced the steepest decline of 8.9%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Southern Europe exported 4 518 thousand tons of citrus fruit in 2020, showing a 3.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 3.4%, with an average annual rate of 1.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports dropped by 0.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure in terms of volume was quite diversified. Germany accounted for 24.6% of exports, France for 18.1%, and the United Kingdom for 6.9%. Together, these three countries represented 49.6% of total export flows, while the remaining 50.4% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe's citrus fruit exports were valued at 5 009 million US dollars, reflecting a 19.1% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 17.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 206 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 5.7%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom were the top destinations for Southern Europe's citrus fruit exports in value terms. Germany accounted for 25.7% of export value, France for 19.8%, and the United Kingdom for 7.9%. Combined, these three countries made up 53.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Europe imported 1 323 thousand tons of citrus fruit in 2020, which represents a 26.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume grew by 16.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 047 thousand tons, which experienced the largest decline of 10.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure in terms of volume was highly diversified. South Africa accounted for 15.5% of imports, Argentina for 8.9%, and Turkey for 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented 31.6% of total import flows, while the remaining 68.4% came from a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe imported citrus fruit worth approximately 1 327 million US dollars, marking a 30.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 18.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 014 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 16.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import structure in value terms remained highly diversified. South Africa accounted for 17.0% of import value, Argentina for 11.4%, and the Netherlands for 5.6%. Together, these three countries represented 34.1% of total import flows, while the remaining 65.9% came from numerous smaller markets.

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

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