Citrus Market Digest w6

Weekly updates on the citrus market

Price updates in Europe

Our experts have reported an early start for harvesting European citrus fruits this year. Production remains strong, with multiple offers supplying wholesale markets and the European fresh market in general. To provide a clearer overview of this week's sector developments, we have gathered insights from Wikifarmer’s activity alongside expert analysis. Additionally, we have collected pricing data from the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the French Market News Network to offer a more comprehensive view of market trends.

As in previous weeks, shipments from Spain dominated the market.  Navelina remained a key variety, alongside Navel, Lane Late, and Navelate, while Salustiana from Spain gained some market share. Various Navel varieties also arrived from Turkey and Egypt, with additional supplies from Italy and Greece, further expanding the selection of blond oranges.

Despite competitive pricing from Egyptian offerings, which put pressure on the market and limited demand for European produce, European suppliers have maintained a strong presence. Unlike last year, lower Egyptian prices have not significantly impacted European produce in primary wholesale markets, and slight price increases have been observed.

For blood oranges, Italian offerings such as Tarocco and Moro were most prominent, while Spanish Cara Cara and Sanguinelli added variety. Nearly black-skinned Moro oranges from Italy attracted attention with their rich color and appealing flavor. Overall, trade was quite lively, but demand was easily met. Prices remained mostly stable, except for lower-quality products, which had to be sold at discounted rates.

In the lemon sector, Spanish Primofiori lemons maintained a dominant market position in some regions, while Turkish Enterdonato and Lama varieties were also widely available. Additional imports from Egypt, Greece, and Italy played only a supplementary role. Business remained steady, with little need for price adjustments.

Italian Retail Trends Unfold

Blood oranges remain a key feature in Italian retail, with strong promotional efforts and strategic shelf placement driving demand. Despite high temperatures affecting pulp coloration, they account for 54% of total citrus references, mainly Tarocco and Moro varieties. Packaged formats dominate (75%), with nets being the most common choice (70%). Organic and DOP/PGI-certified options are widely available, though pricing remains a concern. The average price stands at €2.20/kg, with organic and premium selections exceeding €3.00/kg, while private-label entry-level options start at €0.99/kg. Despite promotions, consumer perception suggests prices may not be competitive.

Clementines and mandarins continue to be staple fruits, though production challenges have impacted quality and sales. While overall fruit purchases have declined, spending per purchase for clementines has remained stable, though quantities bought have decreased. Large-scale retailers are gaining market share, but traditional markets and greengrocers still hold a strong position. Consumption trends vary regionally, with increased demand in the North-West and a decline in the South. High-income consumers are showing a growing preference for clementines and mandarins, while lower-income groups are shifting towards other fruits, indicating evolving consumer behavior.