In the first quarter of the 2024/25 season (September-November), the European Union imported 299,913 tonnes of oranges, 4.7% more than in the same period of 2023, but 7.1% below the average of the last five seasons. South Africa stood out as the main supplier with 81.6% of the share, increasing its shipments by 9.6% compared to last year. Other countries such as Zimbabwe and Argentina experienced significant decreases. In the case of mandarins, imports grew by 7% compared to 2023 and by 41.2% compared to the average, with South Africa, Morocco and Peru leading supplies.
On the other hand, imports of lemons recorded a drop of 14% compared to the same period last year, with South Africa being the main supplier with an increase of 17.3% compared to the average, while Turkey and Argentina significantly reduced their shipments. As for grapefruit, the volume imported fell by 25.3% compared to 2023, with China standing out as the main exporter, although also with declining figures.
Overall, the picture reflects varied dynamics depending on the type of citrus fruit and origin, with South Africa and Egypt growing in several markets, while other major players such as Argentina and Turkey face a significant loss of share.
For more details, see the full story at Agronews Comunitat Valenciana.
