Orange juice market in Iran

Earlier Report Observations

The Iranian orange juice market experienced significant shifts between 2018 and 2023. Production initially rose to 18.5 million liters in 2019, but the volume available domestically fell sharply to 10.1 million liters in 2020. This contraction was primarily driven by an escalating water crisis, marked by prolonged drought and climate change, which severely constrained orange harvests and reduced output. Exceptionally high export volumes in those years further diverted supply from the local market.

A sharp recovery in domestic market volume to 16.1 million liters occurred in 2021, coinciding with a dramatic drop in exports. This shift was linked to growing international concerns over fruit quality, including rumors of early harvesting and artificial coloring practices, which undermined demand and led to a lack of stable export contracts. Production subsequently stabilized at a lower level of around 14.5–14.8 million liters through 2023, as the persistent water crisis and inefficient resource management continued to limit the citrus sector's capacity.

After the 2021 peak, the market volume gradually eased to 13.7 million liters in 2023, as exports partially recovered while production remained constrained by water scarcity. The ongoing drought and its impact on agriculture remained the dominant factor influencing supply throughout the period.

Production orange juice in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

Globally, Iran ranked as the 29th largest producer of orange juice between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of orange juice, 2017-2020

World map of production of orange juice, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, Iran's orange juice production volume declined. In 2020, Iran produced 14 619 thousand liters of orange juice, marking a significant decrease of 20.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 18 468 thousand liters, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 21.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Iran in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Exports orange juice from Iran

Exports in kind, K l

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Orange juice exports from Iran reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, shipments abroad stood at 7 213 thousand liters, down 16.5% from 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 642 thousand liters, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 192.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Iran in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan were the main markets for Iran's orange juice exports in volume terms. Iraq accounted for 41.7% of exports, Afghanistan for 37.5%, and Pakistan for 8.3%. Together, these three countries represented 87.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Iran's orange juice exports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Iran exported 6 144 thousand US dollars worth of orange juice, representing a 4.8% gain compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 281.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 56.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Iran in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Iran's orange juice exports in value terms were Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Iraq accounted for 39.7% of export value, Afghanistan for 36.7%, and Pakistan for 7.3%. Collectively, these three markets represented 83.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports orange juice to Iran

Imports in kind, K l

In 2020, Iran imported 2 714 thousand liters of orange juice, representing a sharp decline of 28.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 42.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 16.6%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Iran in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Austria, and Brazil were the leading sources of Iran's orange juice imports in volume terms. Turkey accounted for 20.0% of imports, Austria for 18.8%, and Brazil for 18.3%. Together, these three countries supplied 57.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Iran's orange juice imports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 4 950 thousand US dollars, down 33.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 47.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 19.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Brazil, and Austria were the main sources of Iran's orange juice imports in value terms. Turkey accounted for 19.4% of import value, Brazil for 18.0%, and Austria for 16.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 54.4% of total import flows.

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

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