Oranges market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The US orange market volume grew substantially in 2019, reaching 4 629 тыс. т, largely because a 15.76% drop in exports that year made more fruit available domestically. This coincided with strong consumer demand for fresh and organic oranges, driven by rising health consciousness. However, from 2020 onward, the market entered a prolonged decline, with volume falling to 2 169 тыс. т by 2023. This downturn was primarily caused by a persistent reduction in domestic orange production, particularly in Florida, where output has been severely impacted by citrus greening disease and adverse weather conditions over multiple seasons.

Despite a steady rise in imports from countries like Mexico and Chile to supplement supply, the increase was insufficient to offset the sharp drop in US production. The industry's structure also shifted, marked by a significant decline in the number of citrus growers and juice processors in Florida, alongside market consolidation moves such as Wonderful Citrus's acquisition of DNE World Fruit. These structural changes limited production capacity and contributed to the tightening of domestic supply over the period.

Consumer preferences continued to favor fresh consumption, with marketing campaigns for easy-peel seedless varieties like tangerines boosting the fresh segment's share. This trend supported the fresh orange market even as overall volume shrank, with fresh consumption reported at 2 182 kilotons in 2023. The market value followed a similar trajectory, peaking at $5 084 млн in 2020 before declining to $3 168 млн in 2023, reflecting both volume changes and underlying price dynamics.

Production oranges in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States ranked fourth globally in orange production volume.

Top producers of oranges, 2017-2020

World map of production of oranges, 2017-2020

In 2020, the United States produced 4,766 thousand metric tons of oranges, marking a gradual decline of 3.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3,535 thousand metric tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 4,923 thousand metric tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 23.4% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a 39.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The United States saw its orange production value increase for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 5,437 million US dollars, representing a slight rise of 1.6% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4,381 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.6%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with a 22.1% jump.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports oranges from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, orange exports from the United States increased in 2020, reaching 503.2 thousand metric tons, up 3.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 14.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 484.6 thousand metric tons, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 14.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea, Canada, and Hong Kong were the principal buyers of US oranges by volume, accounting for 27.1%, 21.0%, and 16.0% of exports, respectively. Together, these three markets represented 64.1% of total export volume.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year reduction, US orange exports in value terms increased in 2020, totaling 574.0 million US dollars, a 9.0% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 11.2%, with an annualized rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 526.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 15.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, South Korea, Canada, and Japan formed the core group of markets for US orange exports by value, with shares of 32.2%, 20.4%, and 12.6%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 65.1% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports oranges to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, US orange imports amounted to 205.1 thousand metric tons, showing a modest rise of 7.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 9.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.1%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 222.9 thousand metric tons, which also saw the largest increase of 19.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 14.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, Mexico, and South Africa were consistently the main sources of US orange imports by volume, accounting for 41.4%, 31.3%, and 19.5% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 92.1% of total import volume.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, US orange imports totaled 221.8 million US dollars, up 15.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 13.9%, with an annualized rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 191.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 21.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 244.1 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 25.3%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Chile, South Africa, and Mexico were the main suppliers of oranges to the United States by value, with shares of 51.0%, 21.2%, and 17.1%, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 89.3% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020