Chilean production of lemons, oranges and tangerines/mandarins are all forecast to increase in 2025–26 from the prior year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported.
LEMONS
Lemon production is forecast to increase 4.4% from the prior year to 237,000 metric tons (MT). The increase is driven by expanded planted area and the crop’s profitability.
The area planted is expected to rise to 10,400 hectares, a 4.8% increase.
Chile’s lemon exports are projected to grow by 3.8% in 2025–26, reaching 135,000 MT. The United States is Chile’s largest export destination. In 2023–24, 55% of Chile’s lemon exports were sent to the United States. Other key destinations include Japan, Argentina and South Korea.
In 2025–26, Chilean imports of lemons are projected at 16,000 MT, the same as the prior year. The top supplier of lemons is Peru, followed by Brazil, Colombia and the United States.
ORANGES
Orange production is forecast to grow 2.5% in 2025–26, to 205,000 MT. The increase is driven by higher yields and an expansion in area planted to 7,300 hectares.
In 2025–26, orange exports are projected to grow by 2.7%, reaching 115,000 MT. The United States remains the top export market. Exports to the U.S. in 2024–25 totaled 102,644 MT, representing 94.2% of Chile’s total export volume.
Orange imports in 2025–26 are expected to remain low, with total imports projected at 1,000 MT, consistent with previous years. The United States will continue to be the primary supplier, accounting for nearly all imports.
TANGERINES/MANDARINS
Chilean tangerine/mandarin production is forecast to rise 3.1% in 2025–26 to 270,000 MT, supported by higher yields and increased planted area. Planted area is projected to increase to 12,900 hectares.
Chile is forecast to increase mandarin exports by 2.2% in 2025–26, reaching 235,000 MT. The United States will remain Chile’s largest export market, receiving the majority of mandarin exports. In 2024–25, Chile shipped 196,343 MT of mandarins to the United States, representing 95.8% of total export volume. Other key markets for Chilean mandarins are Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.
USDA FAS expects no significant changes in mandarin imports in 2025–26. Chile’s mandarin import volume has historically stayed below 1,000 MT per year and is primarily sourced from the United States and Peru.
See the full USDA FAS report on Chilean citrus here.
Source: USDA FAS
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