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Citrus

Benefits of Citrus

Citrus is one of the major fruit crops globally, and citrus fruits are grown in more than 140 countries around the world. Oranges, lemons, tangerines and grapefruits are among the most commonly grown citrus types, and they are mainly traded and consumed as fresh fruit, juice, or concentrate. 

Commodity in focus


Citrus is one of the most popular and widely grown fruit crops in the world. Citrus and its products are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre that are essential for overall nutritional well-being. Among the most commonly cultivated types, oranges account for more than half of world citrus production and are the most widely traded citrus fruit, followed by tangerines, lemons and grapefruits. World citrus production and export have grown steadily over the past three decades, although at a slower pace than competing fruits, such as mangoes, avocados, and melons. 

Publications
Major Tropical Fruits - Statistical Compendium 2021
11/10/2022

The Major Tropical Fruits Statistical Compendium is issued on an annual basis to Members and Observers of the Sub-Group on Tropical Fruits of the Intergovernmental Group on Bananas and Tropical Fruits, which is a subsidiary body of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP).

Citrus Fruit Fresh and Processed Statistical Bulletin 2020
08/09/2021

This report is issued on an annual basis to Members and Observers of the Intergovernmental Group on Citrus Fruit. It is prepared by the Market and Policy Analysis of Raw Materials, Horticulture and Tropical (RAMHOT) Products Team, Markets and Trade Division, FAO, Rome, and the tables contained in this document bring together governments' replies to the Group’s latest questionnaires, supplemented by other data available.

 

Citrus plants originate from the tropical and subtropical regions in Asia and Oceania.

 

The major citrus producing countries include China, Brazil and the United States of America.

 

Citrus fruits constitute a key source of vitamin C and provide a multitude of other essential nutrients.

 

In addition to fresh fruit and juice, citrus is grown to produce oil and citric acid, while citrus by-products are mainly used as animal feed.

 Citrus species are perennial, and the average lifespan of a citrus tree is 50 years or more.
 The citrus industry is very diverse, and citrus fruits are grown on small, medium, large, and very large farms.

Citrus production and trade have continuously increased in recent decades. 

Oranges account for more than half of the global citrus output and represent over 40 percent of world citrus exports. 

Citrus fruits face growing competition from other fruits and other food product categories.

About one-third of the citrus fruit produced worldwide is used for processing. 

Citrus fruits are grown in more than 140 countries across the world.