The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) has forecast Egypt’s orange production to decrease by almost 12% in 2024–25, to 3.7 million metric tons (MMT). The decrease is attributed to higher temperatures for long periods at the beginning of the fruit set, which negatively impacts production.
Most of Egypt’s orange production comes from commercial farms on reclaimed desert land established throughout the last three decades. Oranges are the major citrus crop in the country, representing about 80% of the total cultivated citrus area. Washington Navel and Valencia and the primary orange varieties produced.
In 2024–25, the country’s total planted area of oranges is forecast to be 170,000 hectares, a slight increase from the previous year. The increase in planted area is attributed to an increase in profits from producers as a result of large orange exports during the past two years.
In 2024–25, Egyptian orange exports are forecast to decrease by 15% to 1.95 MMT, attributed to anticipated lower production that will affect the export volume.
Egypt is expected to maintain a leading position in orange exports, despite production challenges and decreased exports to key markets in Asia if the attacks on shipping vessels by Houthis in the Red Sea continues. In 2023–24, orange exports reached 126 countries. Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Russia, United Arab Emirates and Spain were among the top 10 export destinations.
In 2024, attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the Red Sea resulted in many shipping companies rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, rather than passing through the Red Sea. The risks posed by these attacks have disrupted global trade and the supply chain, including Egyptian orange exports to key markets in Asia.
Exports to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries across the Red Sea were maintained by ferry. Their price increased due to increase in demand, rising from $2,500 to $6,000 per metric ton.
In 2024–25, utilization of oranges by the processing sector in Egypt is forecast to increase by 50%, to 600,000 metric tons (MT).
See the full USDA FAS report on Egyptian citrus here.
Source: USDA FAS
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