Oranges remain the world’s top-imported citrus

Global citrus demand is shifting — and the numbers show exactly where the market is placing its bets. According to the freshly released 2025 International Citrus Market Yearbook from iQonsulting, oranges continue to dominate global citrus imports, accounting for 35% of all traded citrus worldwide.

The Yearbook reports that in 2024, global citrus imports for the analysed categories reached USD 16.478 billion CIF, with nearly 16 million tonnes traded. Most of this volume came from oranges, lemons/limes, mandarins, and clementines.

Oranges remain the undisputed leader

In 2024, orange imports totalled 6.4 million tonnes worth USD 5.832 billion CIF, representing around 35% of global citrus purchases. Lemons and limes followed with an estimated 28% share, while mandarins reached 25.5% and clementines 11%, confirming the long-standing hierarchy in the category.

Mandarins surge while clementines decline

A key structural shift is underway. Mandarins have seen rapid growth driven by convenience, year-round availability, and new varieties gaining global traction. At the same time, clementines have lost share, especially in markets where both compete during the same supply windows. This divergence is reshaping consumer habits and the composition of international citrus trade.

US maintains highly defined import cycles

The United States continues to rely on imports to counter seasonal drops in domestic supply. Purchases of oranges, lemons, mandarins and clementines are concentrated between May and December, a period in which Southern Hemisphere suppliers — including Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, and South Africa — take the lead depending on species.

Chile stands out in this landscape: it is the leading supplier of lemons, mandarins and clementines to the US, and the top off-season source of oranges, reinforcing its strategic position in the North American market.

South Africa dominates Europe

In the European Union, South Africa remains the most influential supplier of citrus, with market shares of approximately 65% for lemons, 94% for oranges, 89% for mandarins, and 86.6% for clementines — a level of dominance unmatched by any other origin.

source: frutasdechile.cl, iqonsulting.com

photo: japanrailclub.com