
European Union (EU) orange juice (OJ) production is forecast at 89,228 metric tons in 2020-21, a rise of almost 25% compared to the prior year. The EU forecast for OJ production was reported in June by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. The forecast is in line with the expected growth in the volume of European oranges destined for processing this season, especially from Spain and Italy.
Spain is the major orange processor in the EU; about 20% of Spanish orange production is used in processing, mainly into fresh OJ. Italy is the second largest European processor.
While OJ is the most popular juice in the EU, it competes with other non-alcoholic drinks and other fruit juices. In recent years, such competition has reduced OJ consumption. In 2020-21, however, OJ consumption is forecast to grow slightly as a result of increased domestic supplies and growing consumer interest in immune-strengthening products following the COVID-19 crisis.
The European Union is a net importer of OJ; 2020-21 imports are forecast at 670,000 metric tons. However, during the last decade, EU imports of OJ declined by 6% due to the growth in production and the downward trend in OJ consumption. Brazil is by far the leading supplier of OJ to the market, representing 90% of total imports, followed by Mexico, South Africa and Argentina. The United States used to be the third largest OJ supplier, but European imports of OJ from the United States have declined sharply since 2018.
In 2019-20, the EU exported 66,788 metric tons of OJ, valued at $164 million. Main export destinations are Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Norway, Japan and China. In 2019-20, European OJ exports to the United States reached 2,084 metric tons, valued at $5 million.
See the full report on EU citrus production.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service
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