The World Citrus Organisation has released its Northern Hemisphere citrus outlook for the 2025–2026 season, showing that total production is expected to reach 27,397,239 t. This is a decrease of 1.51 per cent from the 2024–2025 season and 5.13 per cent below the average of the previous four seasons. The forecast is based on data from Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Portugal, and the United States.
Exports are also projected to decline by 0.81 per cent compared to last season and by 8.25 per cent against the four-year average.
© World Citrus Organisation
Spain, the largest citrus producer in the European Union, forecasts a 9.72 per cent decline to 5.59 million t, which is 11.20 per cent below its four-year average. Italy expects volumes to fall by 6.12 per cent to 3 million t, and Greece projects a 1.58 per cent decrease to 1.23 million t. Portugal anticipates growth of 14.20 per cent to 0.38 million t.
Among non-EU Mediterranean countries, Egypt estimates a 13.85 per cent increase to 4.95 million t, placing it as the largest producer in the forecast. Turkey expects a 10.83 per cent drop from last season and a 15.31 per cent decrease compared to its four-year average, with production estimated at 4.42 million t. Morocco's production is expected to remain stable at 2.09 million t. Israel projects a 24.12 per cent rise to 0.53 million t, while Tunisia forecasts a 3 per cent decline to 0.37 million t.
The annual USDA forecast has been delayed due to the government shutdown, but early indications suggest citrus production in California and Florida will rise by 4.53 per cent to 4.85 million t, pending updates.
By category, oranges, representing 51 per cent of total volume, are expected to fall by 2.16 per cent to 13.86 million t. Soft citrus is forecast to rise by 5.91 per cent to 8.51 million t. Lemons are expected to decline by 12.38 per cent to 4.23 million t, while grapefruit production is set to increase slightly by 1.17 per cent to 0.79 million t.
The World Citrus Organisation will publish the Southern Hemisphere production and export outlook in April 2026.
© World Citrus OrganisationFor more information:
World Citrus Organisation
Tel: +32 (0) 2 777 15 80
Email: [email protected]
www.worldcitrusorganisation.org
