Israel’s planted citrus area in marketing year (MY) 2023/24 is forecast to be 16,200 hectares (ha), the same as MY 2022/23. The production area is estimated at 15,850 ha due to low profitability and water shortages, which has disincentivized farmers to plant new citrus crops. In recent years, weather conditions, market prices, and logistics were the main challenges for citrus farmers and exporters; this year, shipping logistics and prices were the main challenges. MY 2022/23 shipping prices for most destinations decreased except for some destinations mainly to Japan, China and Korea.
Weather conditions throughout the season were favorable, which led to high yields supporting the local market because of export challenges. Additional factors affecting exports this season will be the prolonged Russian war in Ukraine. Impacts from the conflict between Israel and Hamas on citrus production and trade are too early to determine.
The Israeli citrus industry intends to expand shipments to China, Japan, and South Korea, as well as gain access to other markets, such as Australia and India. Currently, these two markets are closed for Israeli citrus exports due to sanitary and phytosanitary issues and recently there were reports of detection of Lime Butterfly (papilio demoleus), an invasive pest in Israel. However, it is too soon to predict how this insect could affect citrus production in Israel and if it will have any impact on international trade.
Two varieties make up 85 percent of citrus exports from Israel in 2022/23 – red grapefruit with 30 TMT and the Or mandarin variety with 72 TMT.
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Source: apps.fas.usda.gov