European Union (EU) orange juice (OJ) production is forecast at 70,390 metric tons (MT) in 2021–22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service reported. That’s a drop of almost 10% compared to the previous period due to the expected decline in EU orange supply.
Spain is the major orange processor in the EU, followed by Italy. Approximately 20% of Spanish orange production is used in processing, mainly into fresh orange juice.
Although OJ is the most popular juice within the EU, consumption declined last year as the result of a tight supply due to lower imports. In 2021–22, EU OJ consumption is forecast to grow because of increased consumer interest for immune-strengthening products following the COVID-19 pandemic. In Spain, the growing trend is for chilled and premium fruit juices.
IMPORTS
The EU is a net importer of orange juice. However, during the last five years, EU imports of OJ declined by 15% due to a growth in production and a downward trend in OJ consumption. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed this trend in consumption, reversing the decline.
The United States used to be the third largest OJ supplier to the EU. However, since 2018, EU imports of U.S. OJ have declined sharply as a result of additional EU tariffs of 25% imposed since 2018 in response to U.S. safeguard measures on EU steel and aluminum. In 2019–20, also due partially to COVID-19, the value of EU imports of U.S. OJ dropped 31% to $1.7 million compared to the previous season. For 2021–22, EU imports are expected to grow as a result of the expected drop in EU orange supply and orange juice production.
EXPORTS
In 2020–21, the EU exported 18% less volume of OJ than in the previous season at 132,174 MT due to lower EU OJ supply. Main export destinations are the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Norway, Japan and China. In 2020–21, EU OJ exports to the United States reached 3,127 MT, valued at $7 million. In 2021–22, EU OJ exports are expected to drop slightly in line with lower EU orange production.
See the full report on European Union citrus.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service
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