Citrus fruit market in Timor-Leste

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market in Timor-Leste grew from 4 223 t in 2018 to 4 616 t in 2020, a 9.3% increase over two years. This expansion was supported by the government's strategic plan to develop agricultural infrastructure, such as irrigation channels and dams, aimed at boosting domestic production and processing. Additionally, policies implemented in 2020 focused on improving market access and adding value to agricultural products, facilitating a shift toward commercial farming.

Market volume contracted by 3.9% to 4 438 t in 2021, primarily due to rising inflation that increased production costs for local growers. However, the market recovered in the following years, reaching 4 836 t by 2023. This rebound was aided by the launch of the Trade Information Portal in 2023, which streamlined cross-border trade and benefited agricultural exporters, alongside ongoing government efforts to strengthen the farming sector.

Throughout the period, domestic production remained relatively stable, rising modestly from 3 751 t to 3 872 t, while imports more than doubled from 472 t to 964 t. The growing reliance on imports reflected both persistent challenges in local productivity and the impact of trade facilitation measures that made foreign citrus fruit more accessible.

Production citrus fruit in Timor-Leste

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Timor-Leste's citrus fruit production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3 913 tons of citrus fruit, marking a slight increase of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Timor-Leste in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports citrus fruit from Timor-Leste

According to industry analysis, Timor-Leste did not export any citrus fruit between 2017 and 2020.

Imports citrus fruit to Timor-Leste

Imports in kind, t

Timor-Leste's imports of citrus fruit have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 702.9 tons, showing a gradual rise of 3.5% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 472.5 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 30.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, with imports jumping by 43.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Timor-Leste in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China, South Africa, and Egypt consistently led as the top sources for Timor-Leste's citrus fruit imports by volume. China accounted for 50.3% of imports, South Africa for 14.9%, and Egypt for 14.6%. Together, these three countries made up 79.8% of the total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit imports into Timor-Leste was 582.8 thousand US dollars, down by 4.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 12.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 418.6 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 37.1%. On the other hand, 2019 had the highest increase, with import value rising by 46.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Timor-Leste in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China, South Africa, and Egypt were the key partners for Timor-Leste's citrus fruit imports by value. China contributed 45.4% of the import value, South Africa 19.5%, and Egypt 13.0%. Combined, these three countries represented 78.0% of the total import flows in monetary terms.

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

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