EU-28: Citrus Annual
MY 2017/18 EU-28 citrus production is projected to reach 10.8 MMT, meaning a decline of 8.5 percent when compared to the previous year. The reduction is due to a decrease in production expected in the main EU-28 citrus regions. Spain, the main EU-28 citrus producer, expects 12 percent lower citrus production than the previous year with 6.2 MMT. Italy, the second major EU-28 citrus producer, is expecting a 7 percent decrease in citrus production with 2.9 MMT. The climate conditions experienced, drought, high temperatures and citrus cycle are the main reasons for this drop. Due to this reduction, EU-28 orange juice production is also expected to decline. New strategic markets for EU-28 citrus exports continue to be China, Middle East and Canada. Citrus trade between the United States and the EU-28 follows a downward trend except for EU-28 lemons.