Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development recently reported that Mexico produced more than 8 million tons of lemons, oranges and grapefruit in 2022. It stated that Mexico was in second, third and fourth place in world production of lemons, grapefruit and oranges, respectively.
The ministry also pointed out many of the health benefits of consuming citrus.
LEMONS
Figures from the Agri-Food and Fisheries Information Service indicated 2022 production of 3.1 million tons of lemons. According to projections, that production could expand 6.1% in 2023 to 3.29 million tons.
ORANGES
The orange harvest totaled 4.9 million tons in 2022. The orange production level could increase 3% to 5 million tons in 2023, the ministry stated.
GRAPEFRUIT
Grapefruit production totaled 489,000 tons in 2022. An increase of 2.1%, or 499,000 tons, is expected in 2023.
EXPORTS
The ministry reported that Mexico rated fourth worldwide for export sales of citrus at $819 million dollars in 2022. In the first seven months of 2023, Mexican producers exported the equivalent of $447 million dollars of citrus.
HEALTH BENEFITS
The ministry pointed out that daily consumption of citrus fruits is an important source of vitamin C, fiber, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, water and antioxidants. That makes them great allies in the effort to prevent obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, the ministry stated.
It is common to consume citrus in juices and smoothies, the ministry noted. But it pointed out that health specialists recommend eating the fruit in pieces because the fiber is used more, and the stomach is more satisfied.
The Florida Department of Citrus has long sponsored research into the health benefits of citrus products and publicized those findings. Learn about some recent findings here.
Source: Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development