The ongoing 2024-25 season has proven challenging for Turkish citrus growers, who have suffered from extremely hot weather conditions.
On the Mediterranean coast, where the majority of the country’s citrus production originates, prolonged summer heat and spring-like early winter months adversely affected most citrus orchards.
Coskun Eren, head of marketing for Turkish fresh produce exporter Eren, told Freshfruitportal that even though overall production remains close to pre-season forecasts for now, there has been a notable deviation in terms of the expected quality, which led to an increased volume of standard and second-quality produce.
“Along with lower production and concerns about fruit quality, exporters also struggle with high input and production costs,” Eren said.
Eren exports different citrus fruits, including mandarins, grapefruit, oranges, and lemons, to more than 60 countries across four continents. It’s currently awaiting the harvest and export of late citrus varieties, including Lamas lemons and W. Murcott mandarins. The season is expected to extend into late European spring.
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Eren said that Turkish exporters remain strong in international markets, and their strategies have been adjusted to accommodate the evolving circumstances and ensure a steady supply.
“Despite a forecasted decrease of around 30% in orange and lemon production, export volumes are expected to remain almost the same as last season,” Eren assured. “As for mandarins and grapefruits, while production volumes are expected to drop by more than 35%, export forecasts indicate a decline of only around 20%.”
Current state of citrus globally
Eren indicated that global and EU citrus production will decline in 2024-25, primarily due to reduced lemon production in the EU and Turkey. Additionally, lower orange yields in Egypt, Turkey, and the United States are expected, as well as lower mandarin yields in Turkey and slight declines in grapefruit production in Turkey and the United States.
“As a result, it is an unfavorable season for Turkey’s global and EU competitors,” Eren said.
On the logistics side, disruptions in the Suez Canal, driven by global geopolitical tensions, caused significant delays, particularly for shipments bound for Asia.
“These extended transit times not only slowed down operations but also raised concerns about preserving the freshness of the fruit during the prolonged journey,” Eren noted.
Additionally, rising freight costs added another layer of complexity, making it increasingly difficult to compete in overseas markets, where transportation expenses were already a significant cost factor.
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