Stable consumption levels of citruses in Europe

According to the EU-27 citrus dashboard until August 2025, the European consumption levels of oranges achieved 5,602,000 tons for this season 2024/2025, against 5,656,000 tons last season in the same period. 2022/2023 shows the highest consumption of the last 10 years with almost 6 million tons of oranges (5,911,000 tons), the lowest consumption season was recorded in 2015/2016 with 4,65 million tons. The consumption levels follow production, around 5 million tons annual average.

More lemons and grapefruit, less soft citrus

EU cultivation areas increased for lemons and grapefruit over the last 10 years, slightly declined for easy peelers. The production area of oranges is very stable around 279,000 ha in 2024, same levels as 2016. Lemons plantations in the EU progressed +28% the last 10 years, from 65,900ha in 2014 to 84,600 in 2023. Grapefruit are the smaller citrus category but with better progress around +50% in the same period, from 3,100ha in 2014 to 4,600ha in 2023. Despite the growing market trend for easy peelers, the plantations of small citrus (mandarins, clementines, satsumas), slightly declined from165,500ha in 2012 to 150,800ha in 2023.

Imports triple the exports

Import and export levels of oranges are relatively flat: imports achieved 908,000 tons in 2024/2025, exports 324,000 tons. Imports reached a peak in 2022/2023 at 1,045 million tons, imports in 2023/2024 at 308,000 tons. Egypt show so far this season higher shipment levels then South Africa, with 344,655 tons shipped in 2024/2025 (37% of EU imports). South Africa makes 35% of the supplies until August with 322,408 tons, but September is usually their larger shipping month to the EU, around 110,000 tons annually. Imports from Egypt run from January until July.

EU imports of small citrus reach a 5 years average of 439,600 tons. 468,808 tons we so far received this 2024/2025 season until August, 482,190 tons during the previous season of 2023/2024.

Higher price levels, disparities between countries

The prices levels of oranges keep about 15% higher than the 5 years average since last October. They were slightly below last year’s campaign during the winter season, between October and March, then at least 22% higher than 2023-2024 since the month of April. Average price was for last month of August near €1/kg, against €0,85 in August 2024. Price levels reached a pic in June 2025 at €1,105/kg price average, against €0,89 in June 2024. Export prices from packing stations can vary significantly between countries like Spain, Italy and Greece. Spain registered €1,02 export price average for oranges in August, against €1,01 in Portugal and €0,8 in Greece. June prices at packing stations achieved €1,10/kg in Spain, €1,34/kg in Italy, €0,99 in Portugal and €0,72 in Greece.

For more information about the EU citrus market, you can write here