European Union (EU) orange juice (OJ) production in 2022–23 is forecast at 64,421 metric tons (MT), down 20% from the previous season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported.
The volume of oranges destined for processing depends on overall orange production as well as the quality and size of the fruit destined for the fresh markets domestically and abroad. Given an anticipated significant decline in the EU’s orange production and the good prices that farmers receive for fresh oranges, the processing sector is expected to decline.
Spain is the major orange processor in the EU, followed by Italy. Around 20% of Spanish orange production is used in processing, mainly into fresh OJ but also in the manufacture of other citrus byproducts. Prominent Spanish citrus processors are implementing sustainable measures and responding to new consumer demand. The use of sustainable packaging is also a significant trend in the EU.
The EU is a net importer of OJ, primarily to meet domestic demand. EU OJ imports are dominated by Brazil, which accounted for 90% of the EU imports at 566,664 tons in 2021–22. During the first half of 2022–23, EU OJ imports declined 7%. In 2022–23, EU OJ imports are expected to drop slightly compared to last season due to expected lower EU orange domestic consumption. Other suppliers to the EU include Mexico, South Africa, Argentina and Egypt. Despite the elimination of the EU tariffs on U.S. OJ in spring 2021, the United States has not recovered its pre-2018 export levels to the EU.
The United Kingdom is by far the largest destination of exported EU OJ. In 2022–23, EU OJ exports are expected to drop slightly in line with lower EU orange domestic production.
See the full USDA FAS report on European Union citrus production.
Source: USDA FAS
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