Citrus fruit market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. citrus fruit market volume grew sharply from 11 685 thousand tons in 2018 to 15 383 thousand tons in 2019. This surge was driven by a shift in consumer preferences towards easy-to-peel, segmented, and seedless varieties like tangerines, which stimulated production to meet rising demand. The trend favoring fresh fruit consumption over juice further supported market expansion during these years.

From 2020 onwards, the market entered a prolonged decline, with volume falling to 10 043 thousand tons by 2023. The persistent impact of citrus greening disease significantly reduced domestic production, leading to a contraction in total market size. Increased imports from Mexico, reaching 1 586 thousand tons in 2023, partially offset the domestic shortfall but could not reverse the overall downward trend.

By 2024, imports rose further to 1 720 thousand tons while exports stabilized. Growers adopted disease-resistant seedlings and improved irrigation technologies to combat production challenges, and investments in post-harvest storage capacity expanded. Consumer shifts towards organic and convenience fruits, particularly lemons, limes, and tangerines, continued to shape market dynamics, with these segments showing higher growth rates.

Production citrus fruit in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, the United States ranked as the 5th largest producer of citrus fruit from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2020, the United States produced 14 293 thousand tons of citrus fruit, representing a modest 3.5% decrease from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 11 110 thousand tons, while peaking in 2019 at 14 812 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 20.7% drop, whereas the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 33.3% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit production in the United States stood at 17 930 million US dollars, marking a slight 1.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 7.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 035 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 18 164 million US dollars. The most substantial decline took place in 2018 with a 9.8% fall, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 20.8% gain.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports citrus fruit from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Citrus fruit exports from the United States increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 743 thousand tons, which represents a 1.4% gain compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 13.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 731 thousand tons, with the most significant decline that year at 14.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada (26.8% of exports in volume), South Korea (23.1%), and Japan (15.1%) were the primary buyers of citrus fruit from the United States, collectively accounting for 65.0% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, citrus fruit exports from the United States increased in 2020, with a value of 932 million US dollars, showing a modest 3.8% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 8.4%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 898 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 9.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada (26.6% of exports in value), South Korea (25.5%), and Japan (18.3%) consistently served as the main destinations for US citrus fruit exports in value terms, together representing 70.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, citrus fruit imports into the United States totaled 1 469 thousand tons, reflecting a 12.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 23%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico (57.2% of imports in volume), Chile (21.4%), and Peru (5.8%) were consistently the main sources of citrus fruit imports into the United States, collectively accounting for 84.3% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, citrus fruit imports into the United States were valued at 1 552 million US dollars, showing a strong 11.6% improvement from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 26.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 5.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico (39.3% of imports in value), Chile (30.9%), and Peru (8.7%) formed the primary cluster of markets for US citrus fruit imports in value terms, with a combined share of 78.9% of total import flows.

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

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