European Union (EU) grapefruit production is forecast to grow 2.8% to 108,000 metric tons (MT) in 2021–22, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. The increase is due to an almost 4% expected increase in Spanish grapefruit production.
Spain is the major EU grapefruit producer at 84,000 MT. EU grapefruit planted area stands at around 3,600 hectares (HA). Spain’s grapefruit planted area grew 8% to 2,630 HA. Ruby Red is the main grapefruit variety planted in Spain.
Cyprus is the second largest grapefruit producer in the European Union. White Marsh Seedless is the leading Cypriot grapefruit variety.
Sicily is the main grapefruit-producing area in Italy, accounting for 86% of domestic production.
Grapefruit in the European Union are mainly consumed fresh with consumption significantly surpassing production. Therefore, the European Union is a net importer of grapefruit. Grapefruit imports comprise around 80% of the European Union’s total grapefruit supply. In 2021–22, EU grapefruit consumption is expected to remain flat.
During 2020–21, EU imports of grapefruit decreased 8% to 295,184 MT compared to
the previous year. China, South Africa, Turkey, Israel and the United States are the leading suppliers to the EU market. EU imports of grapefruit from the United States dropped strongly, 23%, to 9,536 MT and were valued at almost $12 million. With the suspension of additional EU tariffs related to a World Trade Organization case against U.S. aircraft subsidies which impacted U.S. grapefruit exports, grapefruit imports from the United States may rebound in 2021–22.
During 2020–21, EU grapefruit exports declined 4% to 25,977 MT, valued at $27 million. The United Kingdom, Switzerland, Belarus and Ukraine are the main export destinations for EU grapefruit. In 2021–22, EU grapefruit exports are expected to remain relatively stable.
See the full report on EU citrus.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service
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