EGYPT – Egypt has made significant strides in citrus exports to Brazil, achieving a new record in the first few months of this year selling more than 31,000 tons of citrus to Brazil.

According to a recent report by East Fruit, in 2020, Egypt began exporting citrus to Brazil with a modest 75 tons.

By 2023, this figure had surged to over 14,000 tons. In the first four months of 2024 alone, Egypt set a record and outperforming Spain, its main competitor, by three times.

Oranges remain the primary citrus export from Egypt to Brazil. Since 2022, Egypt has led in orange shipments.

In 2023, nearly 12,000 tons of Egyptian oranges were sent to Brazil. From January to April 2024, this amount doubled to 24,000 tons.

Egypt’s mandarins also saw a significant rise, with exports reaching almost 7,000 tons in the first four months of 2024, up from just 2,000 tons in the same period last year.

However, lemon and grapefruit exports remained relatively low at 500 tons and 190 tons, respectively.

Brazil is the world’s second-largest citrus producer, following China, and leads in orange production.

However, most Brazilian oranges are processed into juice rather than sold fresh, making Brazil a net importer of fresh oranges.

This trend also applies to mandarins and grapefruits. Conversely, Brazil is a net exporter of lemons, with exports reaching nearly 170,000 tons in 2023.

For citrus imports, Brazil depends heavily on Egypt, Spain, and other South American countries. From December to May, Egypt and Spain dominate the market. From June, importers shift their focus to Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile.

Meanwhile, oranges account for about 70% of Egypt’s total cultivated citrus area. In the 2023-24 season, Egypt is expected to produce 3.7 million metric tons (MMT) of oranges, marking a 2.7% increase from the previous season.

Fresh orange exports are projected to reach 2.0 MMT in MY 2023/24, up from 1.6 MMT the previous year.

This growth is driven by higher yields per hectare, successful market expansion, and an effective traceability system for farm production.

Egypt’s top destinations for orange exports include the Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, UAE, Spain, Bangladesh, Syria, China, and the United Kingdom.

With Egypt’s citrus exports to Brazil reaching new heights, the country continues to strengthen its position in the global citrus market.

As the demand for fresh citrus in Brazil remains robust, Egypt is well-placed to capitalize on this opportunity, further expanding its export footprint and contributing to the growth of its agricultural sector.

Ahmed Youssef, an Egyptian citrus exporter, noted, “The increasing demand in Brazil for fresh citrus has been a significant boost for our industry. We are committed to maintaining high-quality standards and meeting the growing needs of our international markets.”

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