European citrus production declines in 2019/20 season

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report has revealed that unfavorable weather conditions have been the main cause for the fall in the citrus production in the current 2019/20 campaign in Spain and Italy, two of the largest producers in the EU.

The report said there was an estimated at 19 per cent compared to the previous campaign, with 6.1 million tons obtained in Spain, while Italy is recording a 20 per cent decrease, down to 2 million tons.

In the case of oranges, the EU production could reach 5.8 million tons, 10 per cent less than in the 2018/19 campaign. The biggest falls correspond to the two countries mentioned above, not only because of bad weather, but also because the downward trend in the acreage has continued.

Meanwhile, the acreage has been expanded in Greece and in Portugal. As for the mandarin production, it will fall by 17.7 per cent, down to 2.6 million tons, also due to the decrease in the two main producing countries.

According to the USDA, the productivity of EU citrus farms has increased over the last nine years, while the acreage has been reduced. In the case of oranges, the decrease is estimated at 13 per cent, and in the case of mandarins at 8 per cent.

The report also predicts a drop in the lemon production in the current campaign. It will be 12.6 per cent smaller and amount to 1.4 million tons. Lastly, the grapefruit production will fall by 17.5 per cent, down to 89,000 tons. Contrary to what has happened with oranges and mandarins, the acreage devoted to lemon and grapefruit cultivation in the EU has expanded by around 8 per cent over the last nine years.

Regarding trade, the USDA says that the EU is a net importer of citrus fruits (although Spain, in particular, exports a good part of its production, especially to other Member States). Imports come mainly from South Africa, North Africa and South America.

Lastly, it points out that the imposition of additional tariffs by the United States on European productions in the framework of the Airbus conflict will have an impact on EU shipments of citrus fruits to the US market, mainly on Spanish exports of Clementine and lemons

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