Citrus prices rebound in the EU, but strong import pressure from third countries, such as Egypt or Morocco, threatens the sector’s profitability. Spain faces an increasingly competitive and deregulated market.
By Marga López Polo, Agri-food Journalist
The latest European Commission Panel on the citrus sector, published on June 16, 2025, confirms what the sector has been warning: despite a rebound in farm-gate prices, increasing import pressure from third countries—especially Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco—continues to strain the European market. Spain, as the EU’s leading citrus producer, is facing an increasingly demanding environment in terms of both competitiveness and profit margins.
Rising prices… with nuances
In May 2025, the average orange price in the EU reached €106/100 kg, 28% higher than in May 2024 and 19% above the five-year average. In Spain, however, the average price was €93/100 kg, below the EU average, though still rising: +24% year-on-year and +17% above the five-year average.
Lemons also saw sharp price increases: the EU average in April 2025 was €137/100 kg (+22% YoY), while in Spain they reached €151/100 kg, the highest price among the main European producers.
Mandarins, on the other hand, saw a slight price correction in recent months, although they maintained a strong upward trend year-on-year: in April, the EU average was €137/100 kg (-6% monthly, but +19% compared to the previous year). In Spain, the price stood at €148/100 kg, slightly down from the previous month but 17% higher than in 2024.
Imports at record levels
The price increases contrast with the EU’s intense import activity, which has reached record levels in several citrus categories, representing a destabilizing factor for European growers.
For oranges, the EU imported 496,841 tonnes between October 2024 and May 2025, exceeding the five-year average.
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Egypt shipped 292,036 tonnes (+8% vs. five-year average).
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South Africa reached 155,741 tonnes (+36%).
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Morocco and Turkey also increased their presence, although to a lesser extent.
For small citrus fruits (mandarins, clementines, satsumas), the import volume up to May was 353,625 tonnes, well above the five-year average.
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Morocco stood out with explosive growth: +1621% in May 2025 compared to the same month in 2024 and +765% vs. the five-year average.
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Imports from Israel, Turkey, and Egypt also rose.
As for lemons, imports reached 142,600 tonnes by May. Although still below the five-year average, Turkey and South Africa maintained a strong presence in the European campaign.
Spain in a shifting model
Although farm-gate prices have improved this season—mainly due to limited supply and high production costs—profit margins remain under pressure from increasing imports and regulatory disparities in plant health, environmental, and social standards.
Earlier harvests in third countries, combined with their cost advantages and commercial flexibility, leave little room for Spanish growers to compete, especially during key moments of the European campaign. In addition, demand is becoming increasingly price-sensitive, both within the EU and in export destinations.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s Citrus Panel confirms that the EU market is undergoing a process of transformation, where trade volatility and external competition are reshaping the sector’s traditional dynamics. For Spain, this scenario demands urgent new strategies, from enhancing the value of domestic production to defending stricter reciprocity rules in trade agreements with third countries.
Source: DG AGRI Dashboard – Oranges and other citrus fruits. European Commission.
https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/extensions/DashboardCitrus/CitrusTrade.html
