Citrus Market Digest w7

Weekly updates on the citrus market

Price updates in Europe

The citrus market remains stable, with demand and pricing showing no significant fluctuations. European and non-European offers are completing the wholesale markets of Central Europe, with imports remaining much more costless than European counterparts. Wikifarmer's commercial activity and our experts are verifying the current market situation with pricing data from the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the French Market News Network, which offers valuable information on this week's market updates. 

Spanish varieties continued to dominate in the blond orange segment, with later-season varieties like Lane Late and Navelate gaining prominence. At the same time, Navelina and Salustiana remained relevant despite losing some market share. The market was complemented by Washington Navel from Turkey and other Navel varieties from Egypt, Greece, and Morocco. Despite its easy-to-peel, sweet profile, demand remained limited to specialty retailers. Overall, trade in both blond and blood oranges remained broadly satisfactory.

The growing blood orange segment was led by Italian Moro and Tarocco, supported by Spanish Cara Cara and limited volumes of Sanguinelli. Prices mainly remained stable, with slight declines for Cara Cara and Tarocco due to premature harvesting following a rainy period.

Spanish mandarins maintained a strong presence in the small citrus category, particularly Tango, Clemenvilla, Nadorcott, and Leandri, with limited quantities of Orri. Israeli Orri gained further traction, increasing availability compared to the previous week. Turkish Murcott and Moroccan Nadorcott remained in demand, while Italian and Egyptian imports were more limited than in previous years. The clementine season was drawing to a close in some markets. Demand varied significantly across regions. Turkish Murcott and Moroccan Nadorcott appealed to buyers due to competitive pricing. While prices mostly held steady at the high levels of the previous week, selective price adjustments were necessary to prevent stock accumulation.

How convenience is transforming the lemon market

The lemon market is evolving as consumers increasingly prioritize convenience, premium quality, and efficiency in their food choices. A key driver of this shift is the growing demand for seedless varieties, which have achieved a remarkable volume growth. Shoppers, accustomed to the nuisance of lemon seeds, are now seeking hassle-free alternatives that save time and effort.

This preference aligns with a broader consumer trend: according to Euromonitor, 50% of consumers are willing to pay more for convenience products. The success of seedless lemons reflects this mindset, positioning them as a premium upgrade to a household staple. 

Additionally, the way consumers discover and engage with fresh produce is changing. The widespread marketing campaign for seedless lemons demonstrates the increasing influence of digital channels on buying behavior. As a result, premium and time-saving lemon products are set to play a growing role in the fresh produce sector, reshaping consumer expectations for everyday ingredients.

How EU citrus imports are evolving in 2025

According to the latest report on the EU citrus market, imports have shown mixed trends across different categories in the 2024-2025 season. Orange imports saw a significant rise, reaching 166,562 tons by October 2024—well above the five-year average—driven mainly by South Africa. In contrast, small citrus imports, including mandarins and clementines, remained steady, with cumulative volumes surpassing the previous season’s levels by January 2025. Lemon imports also tracked slightly above last year’s levels, with Argentina maintaining its lead as the top supplier. However, grapefruit imports lagged behind historical averages, with January 2025 volumes falling short of the five-year benchmark. Additionally, Egyptian orange imports in late 2024 created market disruptions for European suppliers, intensifying competition and pressuring local prices.

In terms of pricing, EU orange prices declined from €111 per 100 kg in October 2023 to €85 per 100 kg in October 2024, yet demand remained stable. Price trends for other citrus categories are not yet fully available but are expected to follow seasonal patterns. The citrus import market's trajectory in the coming months will depend on factors such as weather conditions, global production, and shifting demand, which will influence trade dynamics across key supplier countries.