Citrus fruit market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, citrus production in the Philippines faced persistent challenges from pests and diseases, such as citrus tristeza virus and huanglongbing, which constrained domestic supply. Strategic interventions to improve orchard management and produce quality planting materials helped raise production to 334.9 thousand tons in 2019, but output fell to 298.7 thousand tons in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic boosted demand for healthy foods, including citrus, leading to increased imports of 155.8 thousand tons to compensate for insufficient local production, although the total market volume edged down to 453.9 thousand tons.

In 2021, the Department of Agriculture intensified promotion of local citrus varieties like Perante and Vizcaya ponkan to reduce import reliance and support farmer incomes. However, global supply chain disruptions and rising imports from Australia pushed imports up to 174.2 thousand tons, and the overall market grew to 478.9 thousand tons. By 2022, policy shifted toward export diversification, emphasizing high-value crops such as calamansi and pomelo for global markets. Simultaneously, consumer preferences leaned toward imported citrus, which, together with lower imports of 123.2 thousand tons and declining production, contracted the market to 419.1 thousand tons.

In 2023, the citrus market volume continued to decline, reaching 406.1 thousand tons, with production dropping to 285.0 thousand tons and imports at 121.2 thousand tons.

Production citrus fruit in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2020, the Philippines produced 298.7 thousand tons of citrus fruit, marking a significant decrease of 10.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 6.9%, with an average annual growth rate of -2.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 334.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.5%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from the Philippines

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Philippines exported 0.6 thousand tons of citrus fruit, representing a sharp decline of 46.5% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1.1 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a growth of 158.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Russia, and Canada were the main destinations for citrus fruit exports from the Philippines, accounting for 54.0% of total exports in volume. The United States led with 27.3% of exports, followed by Russia at 13.7% and Canada at 13.1%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, showing a 3.7-fold fluctuation. In 2020, citrus fruit exports from the Philippines amounted to 0.9 million US dollars, indicating an abrupt decline of 55.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 3.1 million US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 146.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and Hong Kong remained the key destinations for citrus fruit exports in value terms, together accounting for 50.2% of total export flows. The United States contributed 29.4% of exports, Canada 11.3%, and Hong Kong 9.5%.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to the Philippines

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, the Philippines imported 155.8 thousand tons of citrus fruit, up by 24.4% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 49.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Pakistan, and Australia formed the core of citrus fruit imports in volume for the Philippines, together accounting for 88.5% of total import flows. China led with 57.9% of imports, followed by Pakistan at 18.8% and Australia at 11.8%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Citrus fruit imports to the Philippines increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the Philippines imported 176.9 million US dollars of citrus fruit, indicating an uptick of 38.9% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 143%, equating to an annualized rate of 34.4%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, China, Pakistan, and Australia were the primary suppliers of citrus fruit to the Philippines in value terms, jointly accounting for 88.9% of total imports. China contributed 60.1% of imports, Pakistan 16.0%, and Australia 12.8%.

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

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