Forecasts for 2025–26 tangerine, lemon/lime and grapefruit production and trade in Türkiye were included in a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) report.
TANGERINES/MANDARINS UP
Turkish tangerine/mandarin production is forecast to increase 10% to around 2.19 million metric tons (MMT).
The Satsuma variety is the most widely produced in Türkiye and is crucial for both domestic consumption and exports. Eighty percent of total Satsuma production is sent to export.
Tangerine/mandarin exports are forecast to increase around 60% to 1 MMT. Imports of these fruits are expected to slightly increase to around 30,000 metric tons (MT).
LEMONS/LIMES DOWN
Lemon/lime production is expected to decrease by 35% to 1.1 MMT. This decline is primarily due to frost and cold snaps in March and April 2025 that damaged lemon trees and caused significant losses.
In response to the frost damage and reduced yields, the Ministry of Trade announced a temporary suspension of lemon exports effective April 8, 2025.
USDA FAS stated that it is challenging to forecast lemon/lime export levels for 2025–26, but projected exports will decrease by around 20% to 350,000 MT. In 2024–25, Türkiye’s leading export destinations for fresh lemons/limes were Iraq, Russia, Poland and Romania.
Türkiye imports small amounts of lemons.
GRAPEFRUIT STEADY
Grapefruit production is expected to remain at or slightly above last year’s level, reaching approximately 150,000 MT.
Due to especially extreme temperatures, Türkiye is struggling to maintain sweetness in its grapefruit. Most grapefruit are sour and bitter.
Grapefruit exports are expected to be 90,000 MT, similar to last year’s export levels. The main export destinations are Russia, Romania and Ukraine. The most exported varieties are Star Ruby, Ruby Red, Marsh Seedless and Rio Red.
Read a summary of Türkiye’s orange and orange juice production forecast here.
Source: USDA FAS
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