Chinese mandarins partially replaced Moroccan imports in Russia in 2024 amid declining shipments from both Morocco and Turkey. However, Turkey remains Russia's primary citrus supplier, accounting for 36% of total imports, according to calculations by RIA Novosti based on open data and "Rusprodsoyuz" statistics.
In the first nine months of 2024, over 320,000 tons of mandarins were imported into Russia. Turkey led the market with 126,000 tons (36%), followed by South Africa with 58,000 tons (17%), Egypt with 52,000 tons (15%), and China with 37,000 tons (11%). Abkhazia rounded out the top five with 27,000 tons (8%).
The top 10 suppliers also included Morocco (17,000 tons, 5%), Georgia (11,000 tons, 3%), Argentina (9,000 tons, 3%), Pakistan (4,000 tons, 1%), and Israel (2,000 tons, 1%).
In absolute terms, the largest drops in imports were recorded for Turkey and Morocco, which decreased by 27,000 tons (-18%) and 23,000 tons (-55%), respectively. Even though imports from several other countries increased, these additional volumes were not enough to make up the shortfall. However, the tripling of imports from China (+37,000 tons) largely compensated for the decline in Moroccan mandarins.
Overall, Russia's mandarin imports fell by 67,000 tons, while growth in other sources amounted to nearly 50,000 tons. Apart from Turkey and Morocco, declines were observed in imports from Egypt, Pakistan, Israel, Azerbaijan, and Uruguay. Meanwhile, imports increased from China, Argentina, Georgia, South Africa, and Kyrgyzstan.
In terms of price, the most expensive mandarins among major suppliers came from Egypt, at €1.01/kg during the first nine months of 2024, compared to €0.70/kg in 2023. Chinese mandarins followed, priced at €0.78/kg, down from €0.89/kg.
The cheapest mandarins were from Morocco (€0.36/kg, unchanged from 2023) and Turkey (€0.45/kg, down from €0.51/kg). The average cost of mandarin imports across all sources during this period was €0.77/kg.