The World Citrus Organisation (WCO) has released its annual Northern Hemisphere citrus forecast for the 2025–26 season. The preliminary forecast is based on data from industry associations from the Mediterranean region and the United States.
Citrus production for 2025–26 in the Northern Hemisphere is expected to decrease by 1.51% from the 2024–25 season, with a total of 27.397 million tons. That’s also a 5.13% decrease from the average of the previous four seasons.
Exports are foreseen to decline 0.81% compared to last season and 8.25% compared to the 4-year average.
EUROPEAN UNION
Spain’s citrus production is projected to decrease by 9.72% compared to the previous season, to a total of 5.59 million tons. That’s 11.2% lower than the previous 4-season average.
Italy also foresees a decrease in volume of 6.12%, to 3 million tons.
Greece’s production is projected at 1.23 million tons, down by 1.58%.
Portugal, contributing to the forecast for the second year, expects a 14.2% increase to 0.38 million tons.
MEDITERRANEAN
Egypt expects 13.85% growth to become the largest Mediterranean producer with 4.95 million tons.
Türkiye, on the other hand, foresees a stark decline compared to both last year (-10.83%) and the average of the last four seasons (-15.31%), with 4.42 million tons.
Production in Morocco should remain stable at 2.09 million tons.
Israel reports the largest increase of 24.12%, to 0.53 million tons.
The estimate for Tunisia is 3% lower than last season at 0.37 million tons.
UNITED STATES
Although the release of the yearly forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been delayed due to the government shutdown, early estimates from California and Florida indicate a 4.53% increase, bringing American production to 4.85 million tons pending further revisions.
EXPECTATIONS BY VARIETY
Northern Hemisphere production of oranges, representing 51% of total volumes, are set to decrease by 2.16% to 13.86 million tons.
Soft citrus production should increase by 5.91% to 8.51 million tons.
Lemons are expected to experience a 12.38% reduction to 4.23 million tons.
Grapefruit production is predicted to increase slightly to 0.79 million tons, up 1.17% compared to 2024–25.
The WCO is a global platform for dialogue and action that brings together citrus-producing countries.
Source: WCO
Share this Post