Northern hemisphere citrus output set to dip in 2025/26 season

Citrus production in the northern hemisphere is forecast to reach 27.4 million tonnes in the 2025/26 season, marking a 1.51% decline year on year and a 5.13% drop compared with the average of the past four seasons, according to the World Citrus Organisation (WCO).

The preliminary outlook is based on data from industry associations across the Mediterranean region and the United States, covering Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Portugal, and the US.

Within the European Union, Spain is expected to produce 5.59 million tonnes, down 9.72% from last season and 11.20% below the four-year average. Italy, the EU’s second-largest producer, forecasts 3 million tonnes (-6.12%), while Greece is projected at 1.23 million tonnes (-1.58%). Portugal, now in its second year contributing to the forecast, expects 380,000 tonnes, up 14.20%.

Among non-EU Mediterranean producers, Egypt leads with a projected 4.95 million tonnes (+13.85%). Turkey is forecast at 4.42 million tonnes, down 10.83% year on year and 15.31% below the recent four-season average, while Morocco is expected to remain stable at 2.09 million tonnes. Israel is set for the strongest growth at 530,000 tonnes (+24.12%), while Tunisia is forecast at 370,000 tonnes, down 3%.

By category, oranges, which account for 51% of total volume, are expected to fall 2.16% to 13.86 million tonnes. Soft citrus is projected to rise 5.91% to 8.51 million tonnes, while lemon production is forecast to drop 12.38% to 4.23 million tonnes. Grapefruit output is expected to edge up 1.17% to 790,000 tonnes.

source: agraria.pe

photo: health.com