Oranges market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Orange production in Southern Europe started the period strong, reaching 6 508 тыс. т in 2018, boosted by favorable weather conditions and supportive government policies across the European Union. The following years saw fluctuations, with production dipping in 2019 before recovering to 6 582 тыс. т by 2021. During this recovery, the total market volume remained around 5 000 тыс. т, influenced by evolving consumer habits—such as a growing preference for fresh oranges over processed ones—alongside logistical factors and seasonal consumption patterns that tempered growth.

From 2022, production entered a decline, falling to 5 878 тыс. т that year and further to 5 721 тыс. т in 2023. This drop was primarily driven by adverse climatic events, including droughts and extreme temperatures, which damaged crops in key producing areas like Spain. Concurrently, a surge in imports from South Africa increased market supply, helping consumption volume rise to 4 747 тыс. т in 2023 despite lower local output. The market also faced intensified competition from cheaper Egyptian oranges, logistical disruptions from the Red Sea crisis, and pressure from early discount promotions, all of which shaped prices and trade flows. Into 2024, these dynamics continued, with rising imports and falling exports contributing to market saturation and price declines.

Production oranges in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oranges, 2017-2020

World map of production of oranges, 2017-2020

In Southern Europe, orange production reached 6 382 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a moderate increase of 4.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 508 thousand tonnes, which represented a significant increase of 7.6% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with production dropping by 6.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of orange production in Southern Europe was 6 048 million US dollars in 2020, showing a sharp rise of 28.4% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 25.9%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 8.0%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 4 709 million US dollars, which corresponded to a decline of 13.6% that year.

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

Exports oranges from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of oranges from Southern Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 026 thousand tonnes, down by 0.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.2%, with an average annual decline of 0.7%. The peak was in 2018 at 2 084 thousand tonnes, which saw a modest increase of 0.6%. However, 2019 experienced the largest drop, with exports falling by 2.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Europe's orange exports were distributed across a wide range of buyers. Germany accounted for 23.1% of exports in volume, France for 18.9%, and the Netherlands for 6.0%. Together, these three countries made up 48.0% of total exports, while numerous other countries held smaller but still notable shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe's orange exports were valued at 1 920 million US dollars, up by 21.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 16.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 577 million US dollars, which saw a decline of 9.6% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of orange exports from Southern Europe was spread across many destinations. Germany represented 22.8% of export value, France 20.6%, and the Netherlands 6.0%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 49.4% of total export flows, with the remaining 50.6% distributed among a diverse array of other markets.

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

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

Imports oranges to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, Southern Europe's orange imports rebounded. In 2020, imports reached 700 thousand tonnes, surging by 49.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 16%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 469 thousand tonnes, which saw a decline of 17.8% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe sourced oranges from a broad set of suppliers. South Africa provided 20.8% of imports in volume, Egypt 7.0%, and Morocco 4.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 32.2% of total imports, while many smaller sources made up the remaining 67.8%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, Southern Europe's orange import value rose. In 2020, imports stood at 643 million US dollars, up by 61.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 29.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.0%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 398 million US dollars, which experienced a decline of 18.2% that year.

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

During 2017-2020, no single market dominated Southern Europe's orange imports in value terms. South Africa accounted for 25.2% of import value, Egypt for 5.6%, and Argentina for 4.7%. Combined, these three suppliers represented 35.5% of total imports, with many other partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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