Citrus fruit market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the citrus fruit market in Western Asia displayed considerable volatility in physical volume. Starting at 14.4 million tonnes in 2018, consumption contracted over the next two years, falling to 13.8 million tonnes by 2020. It rebounded to 15.5 million tonnes in 2021 before a slight dip in 2022, then surged dramatically to 20.8 million tonnes in 2023. In monetary terms, the market value followed a steadier upward path from $10.1 billion to $11.1 billion between 2018 and 2022, before a sharp rise to $17.7 billion in the final year.

The market recovery in 2021 aligned with a region-wide shift in consumer preferences towards healthier, nutrient-rich foods, a trend accelerated by rising health awareness related to obesity and demographic aging. This shift translated into stronger retail demand for fruits, including citrus. The exceptional growth in 2023 was further propelled by the increasing digitization of fruit and vegetable supply networks across the Middle East and North Africa, which enhanced distribution efficiency and market access, coupled with persistently high demand driven by the perceived health benefits of citrus consumption.

The overall period concluded with a major expansion in both volume and value, underscoring how evolving consumption habits and modernization of supply infrastructure have become key forces shaping the citrus fruit market in the region.

Production citrus fruit in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Citrus fruit production in Western Asia has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 13 770 thousand tons of citrus fruit, which represents a 3.7% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 6.4%, translating to an average annual decline of 2.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 14 939 thousand tons, with a modest increase of 1.5% that year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production decreased by 4.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of citrus fruit production in Western Asia has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 10 796 million US dollars, showing a moderate rise of 4.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 198 million US dollars, which marked a decline of 2.5% that year.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Asia exported 1 853 thousand tons of citrus fruit, representing a significant increase of 12.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export volumes grew by 7.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 647 thousand tons, which saw a substantial decline of 15.1% that year. The highest volume was achieved in 2018 at 1 941 thousand tons, marking an increase of 12.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Western Asia's citrus fruit exports. Russia accounted for 29.0% of export volumes, Ukraine for 8.4%, and France for 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 40.6% of total exports, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares, indicating a diversified export structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Asia's citrus fruit exports were valued at 1 452 million US dollars, showing a robust year-over-year increase of 22.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 186 million US dollars, which experienced a decline of 10.5% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia was the largest buyer of citrus fruit from Western Asia in value terms, accounting for 28.6% of exports. Ukraine followed with 6.9%, and France with 5.5%. However, even combined, these three markets represented only 41.0% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Citrus fruit imports into Western Asia have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 919 thousand tons, up by 26.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes grew by 30%, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 392 thousand tons, which saw a decline of 5.7% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single supplier dominated Western Asia's citrus fruit imports. Egypt accounted for 22.3% of import volumes, South Africa for 20.1%, and Iran for 4.7%. Together, these three countries represented 47.1% of total imports, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Asia's citrus fruit imports were valued at 1 445 million US dollars, showing a substantial increase of 21.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 27.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 3.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa was the largest supplier of citrus fruit to Western Asia in value terms, accounting for 27.6% of imports. Egypt followed with 21.3%, and Spain with 4.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.1% of total import value, making them the main sources for citrus fruit in the region.

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

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