Citrus fruit market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market in Western Europe, measured in physical volume, showed notable variability between 2018 and 2023. After reaching 2 983 thousand tonnes in 2018, consumption dipped slightly the following year before climbing to a peak of 3 097 thousand tonnes in 2020. The market then entered a phase of gradual adjustment, with volumes holding near 3 022–3 035 thousand tonnes in 2021 and 2022, followed by a more significant contraction to 2 734 thousand tonnes in 2023.

The market environment was notably influenced by external pressures in 2022. High inflation reduced consumer purchasing power, which particularly dampened demand for premium organic citrus segments. Concurrently, geopolitical tensions from the war in Eastern Europe introduced supply chain uncertainties and drove up production and logistics costs, affecting import flows and market prices. Underpinning this period was the market's structural reliance on imports, as domestic production remains limited by climatic conditions, coupled with steady consumer preference for citrus varieties.

Production citrus fruit in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2019, Western Europe produced 142.3 thousand tons of citrus fruit, marking the lowest output in the period. The following year, production surged to 197.7 thousand tons in 2020, representing a significant 38.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 timeframe, production grew by 25.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 20.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of citrus fruit production in Western Europe reached its lowest point at 145.4 million US dollars. By 2020, this figure had risen to 230.5 million US dollars, showing a substantial 58.5% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, the total value of production expanded by 34%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 10.2%. The most pronounced drop was recorded in 2019, with a decline of 27.0%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, Western Europe's citrus fruit exports experienced a slight decline of 0.2%. The following year, exports rebounded to 1 142 thousand tons in 2020, up 9.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 11.6%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for citrus fruit in Western Europe showed high diversification. The top three destinations—Poland (10.7% of exports in volume), Spain (5.9%), and the United Kingdom (5.1%)—collectively accounted for just 21.7% of total export flows. The remaining 78.3% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of citrus fruit exports from Western Europe hit a low of 1 063 million US dollars. By 2020, exports had jumped to 1 331 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 25.2% increase over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 19.4%, with an average annual rate of 6.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value-based export structure for citrus fruit in Western Europe was not concentrated among a few key partners. The leading destinations—Poland (9.0% of export value), Switzerland (5.7%), and Spain (5.4%)—together made up only 20.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, citrus fruit imports into Western Europe reached their lowest volume at 3 774 thousand tons. The following year, imports rose to 4 041 thousand tons in 2020, up 7.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.5%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 1.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain (53.2% of import volume), South Africa (13.2%), and Egypt (3.9%) were the primary sources for citrus fruit imports into Western Europe. Together, these three countries accounted for 70.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of citrus fruit imports into Western Europe was at its minimum, recorded at 3 930 million US dollars. By 2020, imports had climbed to 4 970 million US dollars, marking a 26.5% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 19.6%, with an average annual rate of 6.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 9.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (53.9% of import value), South Africa (13.1%), and Italy (4.2%) remained the key partners for citrus fruit imports into Western Europe in value terms. Collectively, these three countries represented 71.3% of total import flows.

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

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