EU-28: Citrus Annual
MY 2017/18 EU-28 citrus production is projected to reach 11.095 MMT, 2.4 percent higher than previous estimates, meaning an overall decline of 6.3 percent compared to previous year. The reduction is due to a decrease in production in the primary EU-28 citrus regions. Spain expects 10 percent lower citrus production than previous year with 6.3 MMT while Italy also predicts a 3.6 percent decrease in citrus production resulting in final yields of three MMT. The drought and high temperatures of 2017 coupled with the citrus cycle are the main reasons for this drop. Due to this, EU-28 orange juice production is also expected to decline in MY 2017/18. 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 2 continues following a downward trend except for EU-28 lemons. Damage from Hurricane Irma in Florida in September 2017 may affect the EU orange juice imports from the United States.
