Citrus fruit market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish citrus fruit market showed significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. In physical terms, market volume fell from 10 301 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 8 326 thousand tonnes in 2019, then recovered to 9 878 thousand tonnes in 2020. After stabilising at around 10 000 thousand tonnes in 2021, volume dropped to 7 856 thousand tonnes in 2022 before rising to 9 010 thousand tonnes in 2023. In value, the market hit a low of $7 573 million in 2019 and a peak of $11 499 million in 2023.

By 2023, market value had surpassed earlier years, suggesting higher prices or a shift in product mix. The sector remains highly export-oriented, with approximately 60% of production sold abroad. In recent periods, the industry has faced persistent drought, excessive heat during critical growth stages, and increasing competition from third countries like South Africa and Egypt, which have expanded their cultivation and export areas.

These climatic challenges, coupled with the gradual loss of effective plant protection products, have put pressure on production volumes. Additionally, geopolitical instability and inflation have affected consumer demand and purchasing power, influencing market dynamics.

Production citrus fruit in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain ranked as the world's sixth-largest producer of citrus fruit.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2020, Spain produced 13 393 thousand tonnes of citrus fruit, marking an 11.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 12 020 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 13 556 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with an 11.3% drop.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit output in Spain reached 14 791 million US dollars, a 35.3% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 19%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 6.0%. The lowest value was observed in 2019 at 10 936 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 22.9%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Spain exported 3 795 thousand tonnes of citrus fruit, a moderate decrease of 3.6% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 3 551 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 3 935 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 5.1%, and the most significant increase was in 2019 at 10.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom were the primary buyers of Spanish citrus fruit in volume terms, accounting for 27.6%, 20.8%, and 8.3% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 56.7% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, citrus fruit exports from Spain amounted to 4 191 million US dollars, up 17.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 580 million US dollars, and the largest decline that year was 3.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom remained the key destinations for Spanish citrus fruit exports in value terms, with shares of 27.8%, 21.7%, and 9.1%, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 58.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Spain imported 280 thousand tonnes of citrus fruit, a 16.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume grew by 6.3%, with a CAGR of 2.1%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 241 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 297 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 18.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Argentina, and Morocco were the main sources of citrus fruit imports to Spain in volume terms, with shares of 22.9%, 22.9%, and 12.3%, respectively. Together, they made up 58.1% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain imported citrus fruit valued at 217 million US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 33.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 16.6%, with a CAGR of 5.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 217 million US dollars, and the highest was in 2018 at 329 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 34.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina, Portugal, and Morocco continued to lead as the top suppliers of citrus fruit to Spain in value terms, accounting for 25.7%, 22.0%, and 10.0% of imports, respectively. Collectively, they represented 57.7% of total import value.

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

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