Citrus fruit production to decline in European Union

In the upcoming 2022/23 season, the European Union citrus fruit production is projected to reach 10.4 million tons, which would mean a 10% decrease compared to the previous season, particularly affecting oranges and lemons, according to the latest data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The reduction can be mainly attributed to the expected declines in Spain. The combination of spring rains in 2022 negatively impacted the flowering and fruit set, while the severe drought experienced in 2023 further exacerbated the situation.

Spanish citrus accounts for approximately 65% of the total EU citrus production. Both industry sources and official data indicate an expected decrease in citrus production within the EU, particularly in Spain, with a reduction of nearly 18%. This decline marks the lowest levels in the past decade.

Italy and Portugal are also expected to face a reduction in citrus production, especially oranges. In contrast, Greece anticipates a rebound in citrus production compared to the previous season. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia caused challenges, such as increased input costs (e.g., energy, fertilizers) and compromised availability, resulting in elevated prices.

Despite the surge in agricultural input costs, the sales value of citrus did not experience a corresponding increase. This lack of growth in profitability led to losses for citrus growers and operators. Rising farm input costs, economic productivity issues, and farm labor shortages continue to be concerns for citrus growers throughout the EU.

According to the FAS EU Post forecast, the EU is expected to witness an increase in the area dedicated to citrus cultivation, aligning with previous estimates. More profitable tree plantations are gradually replacing arable crops, contributing to this expansion. Lemon and grapefruit acreage are anticipated to experience the most significant growth in the 2022/23 season. Meanwhile, EU orange plantings are expected to grow moderately, and EU mandarin acreage is projected to decline slightly.

The expansion of the citrus area is primarily observed in Spain, whereas Italy, Portugal, and Greece maintain relatively stable planting areas.