Climatic issues in major citrus producing countries have contributed to the rising demand for Egyptian citrus, not just in Europe, but also in Russia, the Middle East and South America
Egypt is set to expand its share of the global citrus export market this season, particularly in Europe, according to Osama Saleh, commercial manager at grower-exporter Houd ElNile.
With Europe’s citrus production facing a decline, Egypt’s reliable supply and high quality have made it a preferred source for importers.
“This trend is expected to boost Egyptian citrus export volumes to Europe, further strengthening our market presence and global reach,” said Saleh. “Egypt’s main competitors in the citrus market, such as Spain and South Africa, have faced droughts and other climate issues, resulting in a decline in their overall citrus volumes. This creates an opportunity for Egyptian exporters to fill this gap.”
Houd ElNile offers oranges varieties including Navel, Valencia and Baladi, as well as mandarins. Demand from western Europe, the Middle East and Asia remains strong, according to Saleh, with new market interest from the likes of Brazil, Canada and Argentina.
“The country is actively seeking to expand its reach into new regions that are experiencing citrus shortages,” he said. “Egypt’s focus on private labels and high-quality packaging standards makes its citrus particularly attractive to importers looking to distribute under their own brands.”
Despite the ceasefire in Gaza, the situation in the Red Sea remains uncertain. The crisis created major logistical complications for Egyptian citrus exports to Asia, leading to lower prices on most other export markets.
“The average price per tonne fell from US$497 to US$474,” said Saleh. “The 2023/2024 season saw citrus volumes increase by about 36 per cent, but with prices falling to just €5 per 15kg carton in Europe, revenues rose by no more than 22.5 per cent over the campaign.”
For the 2024/25 season, Egyptian citrus production is expected to reach a record 3.7mn tonnes, up 100,000 tonnes from the previous year. This growth Saleh attributed to good weather conditions, which improved the fruit set and contributed to the largest harvest in recent years.
“This increase in supply, coupled with lower domestic consumption, has led to record high export expectations to meet the high international demand for Egyptian citrus,” he said. “There is strong demand from key regions, particularly the EU, Russia and Saudi Arabia, with exports surpassing the 1.8mn tonnes of the previous season.”
