Global 2020/21 citrus production of the countries and commodities included in Citrus: World Markets and Trade is estimated up 4 percent to 98 million metric tons (tons). Oranges account for half of the production followed by tangerines/mandarins, lemons/limes, and grapefruit. China is the largest producer followed by Brazil and the EU.
The United States is the fifth largest producer although production is estimated to drop 13 percent in line with a long-term decline. Citrus greening has been a key factor in this decline with production less than one-third of what it was 20 years ago. In addition, citrus area is down by nearly 40 percent.
Global exports are estimated at 11 million tons with oranges representing over 40 percent and tangerines/mandarins nearly 30 percent. Exports are propelled by tangerines/mandarins from China, South Africa, and Turkey and to a lesser extent higher lemon exports from Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey. South Africa is the largest exporter followed by Turkey and Egypt. U.S. citrus exports are dropping primarily due to lower orange exports and haven’t been able to participate in rising global tangerine or lemon trade due to reduced exportable supplies. The United States is the seventh largest exporter, and shipments are down for every commodity except tangerines/mandarins.
Tangerines/mandarins are the only U.S. commodity with increasing production.
