Fresh mandarin/tangerine, lemon and grapefruit production in Turkey is forecast to decline in 2022–23 compared to the prior year due to freezing temperatures in March 2022. Orange juice (OJ) production will likely be unchanged, while orange production will significantly decline. The forecast was issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS).
TANGERINES/MANDARINS
Overall tangerine production is forecast to decrease 18% to 1.48 million metric tons (MMT).
Tangerines are the most produced citrus fruit in Turkey, with 84% of tangerines being produced in the Mediterranean region. Satsuma is the dominant variety in this region.
According to growers, tangerines are the most expensive fruit to
produce, and producer costs have increased 140% in 2022 compared to the previous year.
The tangerine export forecast for 2022–23 is unchanged at 990,000 MMT due to lower yields, the war in Russia, the recession in Europe and turmoil in other neighboring countries.
LEMONS
Lemon production is expected to decrease 20% to 1.2 MMT. Although yields are expected to be lower than the previous season, growers do not expect any quality concerns or disease/pest issues.
More than half of the total lemon production in Turkey is produced in Mersin province.
Lemon exports are expected to decrease 13% to 600,000 metric tons (MT). Turkey generally exports half of its total lemon production.
Turkey imports a very low quantity of lemons, mostly from Northern Cyprus.
GRAPEFRUIT
Grapefruit production is expected to decrease 25% to 186,000 MT.
Grapefruit orchard areas have been decreasing year over year. Most of the grapefruit in Turkey are produced in Adana province.
In 2022–23, grapefruit exports are expected to be 15% lower than the prior year, at 126,000 MT. The main export destinations are Russia, Poland and Romania.
See the full USDA FAS report on citrus in Turkey here.
Source: USDA FAS
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