Oranges market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the orange market volume in Northern Africa expanded from 4.9 million tonnes to 5.7 million tonnes. This growth was driven by increased consumer demand for oranges during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the fruit's high vitamin C content became more sought-after for its perceived health benefits. Simultaneously, global supply tightness due to harvest declines in Brazil and Spain raised worldwide prices, further supporting local consumption.

In 2021, the market contracted to 5.1 million tonnes as production fell. The correction coincided with rising costs for packaging and energy, which squeezed producer margins across the citrus sector. Additionally, intensified competition on key export markets like Europe—where Spanish and South African seasons overlapped—added pressure on export-oriented operations.

The market recovered in 2022–2023, reaching 5.3 million tonnes by 2023. A significant production increase in Egypt, by 600 thousand tonnes in 2022, directly boosted regional supply. Investments in export infrastructure in Morocco and Egypt also enhanced logistics efficiency, supporting the market's upward trajectory.

Production oranges in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oranges, 2017-2020

World map of production of oranges, 2017-2020

Northern Africa's orange production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 6,540 thousand tons of oranges, representing a 7.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 16.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of orange production in Northern Africa reached $5,994 million US, showing a sharp rise of 37.2% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 52.7%, averaging 15.2% per year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 7.0%.

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

Exports oranges from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, orange exports from Northern Africa fell in 2020. That year, exports totaled 836 thousand tons, marking a substantial decline of 18.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8.4%, resulting in an average annual decline of 2.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 1,029 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 10.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Northern Africa's orange exports. Russia accounted for 16.0% of exports by volume, Saudi Arabia for 12.8%, and the Netherlands for 10.1%, together making up just 38.9% of total exports. The remainder was spread across many smaller partners, each with modest shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of orange exports from Northern Africa was $766.7 million US, up 4.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 19.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The largest decrease was in 2019 at 2.9%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 at 18.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of orange exports from Northern Africa was not highly concentrated. Russia held 16.6% of export value, Saudi Arabia 13.1%, and the Netherlands 10.1%, together capturing only 39.8% of total flows. The rest was distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports oranges to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for oranges in Northern Africa showed significant volatility during these years. In 2020, imports were approximately 3 thousand tons, down 48.6% from 2019. The lowest point was in 2018 at 0.2 thousand tons, while the peak was in 2019 at 6 thousand tons, representing a 29-fold difference between these two years. The largest decline was in 2018 at 94.1%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 at 2,791.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import market for oranges in Northern Africa was broad-based. Syria accounted for 11.5% of imports by volume, Lebanon for 5.5%, and Turkey for 5.1%, together making up just 22.1% of total flows. The remaining 77.9% was shared among many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2020, orange imports into Northern Africa totaled $2.7 million US, a decrease of 40.4% from 2019. The lowest value was in 2018 at $0.2 million US, and the highest was in 2019 at $4.5 million US, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 26 times. The largest decline was in 2018 at 94.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 2,491.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the geographical structure of orange imports by value into Northern Africa was highly diversified. Syria represented 12.4% of import value, Lebanon 6.0%, and Turkey 5.1%, together accounting for only 23.5% of total flows. The remaining 76.5% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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