The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) has forecast all varieties of Israeli citrus to rise in 2024–25 compared to the prior year. The 2023–24 marketing year saw lower production largely as a result of the war with Hamas.
PRODUCTION PROJECTIONS
Production by varieties in 2024–25 are projected at:
- 95,000 metric tons (MT) of oranges compared to 86,000 MT the prior year
- 155,000 MT of tangerines/mandarins compared to 133,000 MT in 2023–24
- 155,000 MT of grapefruit compared to 144,000 MT the prior year
- 62,000 MT of lemons/limes compared to 58,000 MT in 2023–24
GROWING REGIONS
Israeli citrus production is located throughout the country, except for the southernmost part of Israel. Twenty-seven percent of all citrus is grown in northern Israel, 34% in the central areas and 36% in the south (of which 29% is grown in the Gaza periphery). The remaining plots are grown in the northeast and the southeast along the Jordanian border.
USDA FAS estimates the total planted area in 2024–25 at 14,290 hectares, a decrease of 10.7% from the prior year.
CITRUS PROCESSING
The Israeli citrus processing industry is highly consolidated. Three large firms control the country’s local production — Gan-Shmuel (Pri-Mor), Pri-Gat and Pri-Niv. These plants produce products for local and export markets.
Farmers see the domestic processing industry as their last resort. In general, prices paid by domestic processors tend to be lower than the actual production cost.
EXPORT IMPROVEMENT
Israel’s exports of citrus in 2024–25 are forecast to reach 112,000 MT, up 17.9% from the prior year but still well under pre-war export figures. The decrease in exports is explained by higher freight costs and the difficulty in exporting to Asia due to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Israeli citrus is primarily exported to Asia and Europe.
See the full USDA FAS report on Israeli citrus here.
Source: USDA FAS
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