Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has forecast national citrus production of 5.44 million tons for the 2025–26 season, which began Sept. 1. That’s 10.7% lower than last season’s production and the lowest production level in the last 16 years.
The decline is mainly due to:
- Excessive rainfall in spring
- High temperatures during critical periods of fruit development
- Hailstorms in various growing areas
Oranges, small citrus fruit and lemons are expected to see significant declines, while grapefruit is expected to reach record-high production.
ORANGES
Orange production is forecast at 2.72 million tons, 11.6% (356,300 tons) less than last season. Oranges represent 50.1% of total citrus volume; 71% of the oranges are navels.
SMALL CITRUS
Small citrus production is forecast at 1.73 million tons, 8.2% (154,100 tons) lower than last season. Small citrus accounts for 31.9% of all citrus production. Satsumas represent 5.4% of this group and clementines 52.2%. The remaining 42.3% is mandarins and hybrids.
LEMONS
Lemon production is forecast at 866,654 tons, 14.7% (149,400 tons) lower than last season. Fino lemons will account for 77.3% of lemons; Verna for 22.1%.
GRAPEFRUIT
Grapefruit production is forecast at 107,902 tons, exceeding last season’s record production by 8% (8,000 tons).
LEADING PRODUCER
Spain continues to be the largest citrus producer in the European Union (EU) and the sixth largest in the world. Between 2019–20 and 2023–24, Spain exported an average of 3.5 million tons of citrus per season.
Spain also leads the world in fresh citrus fruit marketing, accounting for nearly 25% of global exports. Fifty-five percent of national citrus production is destined for foreign markets.
One of the issues of greatest concern to Spanish citrus is the risk and rate of introduction of exotic pests and pathogens into European citrus. The risk and rate of those introductions is steadily increasing due to trade globalization, the full opening of markets and the growing impact of climate change on plant health.
Source: Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
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