It is expected that Turkey will produce approximately 6.5 million metric tons (MMT) of citrus in MY 2023/24, 39 percent more than the previous season. However, yield increases have brought concurrent marketing and consumption issues. Due to the low profitability many farmers face, citrus fruits are being removed from many orchards. According to local contacts, new export markets and export subsidies are crucial for citrus producers and exporters to maintain their business. Turkish exporters believe that South Africa and Argentina have become competitors for the same marketing year due to climate change. For the first 4 months of MY 2023/24, Turkey exported 25 percent more citrus when compared with the previous season, mostly to Russia ($148 million) and Iraq ($90 million).
Production
In MY 2023/24, the orange yield is forecast to increase 31 percent to 1.73 MMT due to favorable weather conditions in spring 2023. The Washington and Yapha variety, which account for 70 percent of total orange production in Turkey, are the main driver behind the overall yield increase. The yield per tree has increased 71 percent in the Yapha variety, and 38 percent in the Washington variety. The yield increase is mostly going to be seen in the Aegean region. In MY 2022/23, Turkey produced 1.32 MMT of oranges, which was 24.5 percent less than MY 2021/22 (1.75 MMT).
Farmgate prices have fallen 20 percent from the previous season and have been 8-10 Turkish Lira (TL)/kg ($0.2-0.3), though retail prices remain high at 20-25 TL/kg ($0.7-0.9).
Consumption
In MY 2023/24 orange consumption is expected to increase to 1.36 MMT due to higher production, however retail market prices are still high due to rising transportation and market costs such as electricity and packaging. Marketing Year 2022/23 orange consumption was realized at 1 MMT, 23 percent less than MY 2021/22 (1.3 MMT). According to the latest data published by TurkSTAT in 2022, orange consumption per capita was 9.7 kg.
The average retail price for oranges is up to three times more than the farm gate price. This price difference is attributed to traders and transportation and logistics companies marking up the prices as the product makes its way to retail shelves. Other citrus products also face large price differences between the farm gate and retail stores for the same reason.
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Source: apps.fas.usda.gov