Australian orange juice (OJ) production in 2023–24 is forecast at 15,400 metric tons (MT) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). That’s a decrease of 4% from the 2022–23 estimate of 16,100 MT.
Higher production and improved fruit quality for fresh oranges is anticipated in 2023–24, resulting in a lower volume of rejected fruit channeled toward juicing. Assuming normal seasonal conditions and easing key input costs, Valencia orange production is expected to be at typical levels in the forecast year.
The planted area of juicing varieties, which is now at 35% of the overall orange planted area, has declined by 5% from 2014 to 2022.
EXPORTS
The forecast for OJ exports in 2023–24 is 4,000 MT, or 1,000 MT lower than the 2022–23 estimate, which is influenced by a lower production forecast. Exports are quite low at around a quarter of the overall production volume. Exports over the last 10 years have ranged from as low as 1,500 MT to 5,600 MT and averaged 3,700 MT.
New Zealand has by far been the primary destination for OJ exports from Australia for many years.
IMPORTS
Australia was expected to import 14,000 MT of OJ in 2022–23, which was less than the previous average import level of 19,000 MT. There is no indication that the lower import level will change in 2023–24, USDA FAS indicated.
Brazil has been the major source of Australian OJ imports for many years. In recent years, Brazil typically accounted for well over 80% of overall imports. Turkey had consistently been the second largest source at 10% or less, but imports from Turkey were reduced to very little in 2021–22. Instead, imports from Israel have stepped up.
See the full USDA FAS report on Australian citrus for 2023–24 here.
Source: USDA FAS
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