Greece. Citrus Annual 2014. Dec 2014 Jan. 13, 2015

Report Highlights: 

Greece’s MY 2014/15 orange production is forecast to decrease by approximately 12 percent compared to the previous year because of the heavy rainfall which occurred in May and June. Greece’s MY 2014/15 tangerine, lemon, and grapefruit productions are forecast to remain steady. Greece is a large importer of lemons. In MY 2013/14, Greece imported 21,307 MT of lemons, mainly from Argentina (7,863 MT), Turkey (4,039 MT), and Italy (4,006 MT).

Oranges

PRODUCTION 

Greece’s MY 2014/15 orange production is forecast to decrease by approximately 12 percent compared to the previous year, because of the heavy rainfall which occurred in May and June. Peloponnese and Aitoloakarnaia (western Greece) are the main orange-producing areas. Washington Navel, Commons, Valencia, Navelina, and Newhall are the leading orange varieties grown in Greece. 

CONSUMPTION 

Most oranges are consumed fresh (channeled to open markets and grocery stores). 

TRADE 

In MY 2013/14, Greece exported 365,806 MT of oranges mainly to Romania (80,048 MT), Serbia (38,477 MT), Bulgaria (33,612 MT), Poland (32,117 MT), Hungary (27,914 MT), and Germany (24,250 MT). Navels and Tardives are marketed mostly from November through March. In MY 2013/14, Greece imported 6,084 MT of fresh oranges mainly from Romania (1,686 MT) and South Africa (1,657 MT). 

Orange Juice

Greece is forecast to process approximately 170,000 MT of oranges in MY 2014/15 to produce 10,438 MT of concentrate. The total volume of oranges channeled to processing depends on crop quality and the quantity of oranges destined for the fresh market, both domestic and foreign. Commons variety is used predominantly in processing. 

Tangerines

PRODUCTION 

Greece’s MY 2014/15 tangerine production is forecast to remain flat. The main producing areas include the prefectures of Igoumenitsa, Arta, Mosologgi, and Thesprotia, located in northern Greece. Clementine is the major tangerine variety grown in Greece. 

CONSUMPTION 

Most tangerines are consumed fresh. Clementines are consumed mainly along the west coast and cover early and late season demand, both domestically and abroad. 

TRADE

In MY 2013/14, Greece exported 83,100 MT of tangerines, mainly to Romania (25,603 MT) and Bulgaria (17,797 MT). Clementines are marketed from January to May. In MY 2013/14, Greece imported 3,251 MT of fresh tangerines mostly from Italy (1,202 MT) and Cyprus (988 MT). 

Lemons

PRODUCTION 

Greece’s MY 2014/15 lemon production is forecast to remain steady. The main lemon-producing areas include the prefectures of Korinthos, Achaia, Piraeus, and Ilias, located in northern Greece. The major lemon variety grown in Greece is Maglini, whose fruit is strongly aromatic, with a quite sour juice. It has a thin, shiny peel and when fully ripe has a yellow color. 

CONSUMPTION 

Greek lemon production is all destined for the fresh market. Greece has become increasingly reliant on imported lemon juice to meet consumer demand for soft drinks. The yield for lemon juice is 15-17 Kg of fresh lemons to produce 1 Kg of lemon juice, depending on the quality of the fruit. 

TRADE 

Greece is a large importer of lemons. In MY 2013/14, Greece imported 21,307 MT of lemons, mainly from Argentina (7,863 MT), Turkey (4,039 MT), and Italy (4,006 MT). In MY 2013/14, Greece exported 7,500 MT of lemons mainly to Bulgaria (2,765 MT) and Romania (2,550 MT). The Maglini lemon variety is marketed from December to May and from September to November after artificial ripening. 

Grapefruits

PRODUCTION 

Greece’s MY 2014/15 grapefruit production is forecast to stay flat. Greek’s prefectures of Corinth and Kavala, the region of Thessaly, and the island of Crete are the major grapefruit-producing areas. 

CONSUMPTION 

Most grapefruits are consumed fresh. 

TRADE 

In MY 2013/14, Greece exported 2,200 MT of grapefruits mainly to Bulgaria (1,015 MT). In MY 2013/14, Greece imported 3,961 MT of grapefruits mainly from South Africa (1,428 MT).

Abbreviations and definitions used in this report 

MY Marketing year 

Oranges, Tangerines, Lemons, Grapefruit, Orange Juice: November/October 

HS Codes

Oranges: 080510 

Tangerines: 080520 

Lemons: 080550 

Grapefruit: 080540 

Orange juice: 200911; 200912; 200919 

MT Metric ton = 1000 kg 

Ha hectare; 1 ha = 2.471 acres 

EU European Union