Oranges market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

Government support through the linked aid scheme for orange juice processing enterprises provided a consistent foundation for the Greek orange sector from 2018 to 2024. However, production volumes fluctuated due to climatic events, such as cold winds and hail in 2019 which reduced the harvest to 849.1 thousand tonnes, and the frost in 2022/23 that contributed to stabilizing output at 865.9 thousand tonnes in 2023.

Significant shifts in market volume were driven by operational and external factors. A crisis in the 2021/22 campaign, caused by erroneous production practices, led to a sharp drop in output to 818.3 thousand tonnes and a contraction of the domestic market to 492.0 thousand tonnes. The following year, a global supply disruption from extreme weather in Spain increased demand for Greek oranges, raising production to 873.7 thousand tonnes. Simultaneously, a 15% decline in exports due to competitive pressure from Egyptian imports left more produce available domestically, boosting the market volume to 611.7 thousand tonnes.

The development of the processing industry, including the entry of new player Clenda producing sugar-free beverages and investments in new juice plants in 2020, strengthened demand for oranges destined for juice. In 2024, the spread of citrus greening disease in Brazil doubled prices for industrial oranges, directly affecting juice production costs in Greece, while state programs like 'Closed Cycle' were launched to support agricultural producers.

Production oranges in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Greece ranked 17th globally in orange production.

Top producers of oranges, 2017-2020

World map of production of oranges, 2017-2020

In 2020, Greece produced 886.6 thousand tons of oranges, marking a 4.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 21.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. The highest production level was reached in 2018 at 913.2 thousand tons, which represented a 25.5% increase. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 7.0% drop.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of orange production in Greece was 514.4 million US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 27.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 49.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 14.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 14.0%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2018 with a 37.1% rise.

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

Exports oranges from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Greece exported 321.9 thousand tons of oranges, reflecting a robust gain of 21.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 19.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 264.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 15.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania, Germany, and Bulgaria were the largest buyers of Greek oranges in terms of volume, accounting for 17.2%, 11.5%, and 9.1% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 37.8% of total exports, with many smaller partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of orange exports from Greece reached 186.7 million US dollars, up by 48.2% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 47.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 13.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 126.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 22.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Greek oranges were exported to a diverse range of markets. Even the top destinations—Romania, Germany, and Poland—collectively accounted for only 41.8% of total export value, indicating a broad distribution across many smaller partners.

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

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

Imports oranges to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Greece's orange import volume increased in 2020. Imports totaled 5.2 thousand tons, up by 32.9% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 17.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 6.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 3.9 thousand tons, which saw the largest drop of 33.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Egypt, and the Netherlands were the main sources of orange imports to Greece in volume terms, with shares of 23.1%, 22.5%, and 10.2%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 55.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year fall, Greece's orange import value increased in 2020. Imports amounted to 4.5 million US dollars, corresponding to a rise of 60.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 2.8 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest decline of 22.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa, Egypt, and the Netherlands led as the top suppliers of oranges to Greece in value terms, with shares of 29.2%, 17.0%, and 16.9%, respectively. Their combined share reached 63.1% of total import value.

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

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