According to the latest report on Enhanced Monitoring of EU Citrus Imports, during the first two months of 2023 (January-February) the EU imported 76,843 tons of oranges, i.e. a notable 76.6% (+33,326 t) increase over the same months of 2022, and 9.9% (+6,900 t) more in relation to the average of the last 5 campaigns.
"This increase is due to the recovery and average increase in imports from Egypt, which in these two months increased by 172.1% (+42,000 t) compared to 2022 and by 47.6% (+21,400 t) compared to the average," the report states.
Between September and February of the 2022/23 campaign, the EU has imported 434,477 tons, i.e. 14.5% (+55,111 tons) more than in the same period of the 2021/22 campaign and 5.6% (24,000 tons) more than the average.
South Africa was the main supplier in this period with 285,368 tons, accounting for 65.7% of all imports. It increased its shipments by 12.9% (+32,673 t) over the same period last year and by 19.4% (+46,400 t) compared to the average.
"It is followed by Egypt (with a 15.8% share), which increased its volume by 45.7% (+21,600 t) over the average; Zimbabwe (6.2% of share), which also increased its export volume by 25.6% (+5,500 t), and Argentina (4.2% of share), which decreased its export volume by 11.2% (-2,300 t) when compared to its average export volume."
"Morocco's volume, on the other hand, fell by 58.8% (-11,500 t) compared to the average, and didn't reach 2% of quota, reducing its quota by almost 3 points."
The full report, published on 14 March by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, can be found at the following link.