The citrus market - France (2023)

1.2 The global market

The twelve biggest citrus producers World, ****, in millions of tons FAOSTAT

China is by far the world leader in terms of citrus production, with ** million tonnes in ****. Brazil and India are also major producers, with **.** and **.** million tonnes respectively in ****.

World citrus market value World, ****-****, in billions of dollars FAOSTAT The size of the citrus market is growing rapidly, with the global market value increasing by **% between **** and ****. Europe's eight biggest citrus producers Europe, ****, in thousands of tons FAOSTAT In Europe, Spain is by far the leading citrus producer, with *.** million tonnes of citrus fruit produced in ****. Italy, Greece and Portugal are also major citrus producers.

Types of citrus produced worldwide World, ****, in millions of tons FAOSTAT The most widely produced citrus fruit in the world is the orange (***).

1.3 The French market

French citrus production France, ****-****, in thousands of tons FAOSTAT

In ****, citrus production in France saw a notable decline, mainly due to two major factors. Firstly, unfavorable weather conditions had a significant impact on crops. Late spring frosts damaged the blossoms and young fruit of citrus trees, reducing the expected harvest. In addition, climatic variability and drought affected fruit quality and growth. At the same time, citrus trees in France faced challenges linked to plant diseases, in particular sad citrus. This disease, transmitted by insect vectors, caused early defoliation of trees, compromising photosynthesis and fruit ripening. In addition, infected trees produced lower-quality fruit, affecting the value of the harvest. These combined factors led to a decrease in citrus production in France in ****.

Production picked up again in ****, and has never been as high as in ****.

In order to estimate the market size of citrus in France, we can use data on the volume of national production as well as the ratio between the value of exports and the volume of exports. The following table can be found:

Year **** **** **** **** **** National citrus production (***) **,* **,* **,* **,* **,* Value of exports (***) *** *** *** *** *** export volume (***) **,* ** *,* **,* **,* Value in millions of dollars per thousand tonnes exported **,**** *,****** **,***** **,***** **,***** Approximate value of national production (***) ***,**** ***,**** ***,**** ****,*** ****,*** This ...

1.4 Balance of trade

Citrus market trade balance France, ****-****, in millions of dollars UNCOMTRADE

France's citrus trade balance is largely negative (***).

French citrus imports France, ****, in millions of dollars UNCOMTRADE Unsurprisingly, Spain is our main citrus supplier. Note: The Netherlands is neither an exporter nor a producer of citrus fruit. Their importance here is due to their port status: citrus fruits are imported from southern countries for resale in Europe.

French citrus importing countries France, ****, in millions of dollars UNCOMTRADE France exports few citrus fruits, mainly to Switzerland (***). Citrus exports go almost exclusively to other European countries.

2.1 Typology of demand

Demand for citrus fruits breaks down as follows:

Wholesalers: Growers may sell their citrus fruit wholesale to food wholesalers. Wholesalers typically buy large quantities of citrus and then resell them to retailers, restaurants, hotels and other customers.

Retailers: Citrus is sold in supermarkets, grocery stores, local farmers' markets and other retail outlets. Growers may sell their citrus directly to these retailers, or through intermediary distributors.

Farmers' markets: Some growers sell their citrus directly to consumers at local farmers' markets. This allows consumers to buy fresh citrus directly from growers.

Export : Citrus growers export part of their production.

Processing : Some citrus fruit can be transformed into by-products such as juices, fruit pastes, liqueurs, etc. Growers can sell their citrus to food processing companies.

Catering : Restaurants, patisseries and hotels also buy citrus to include in their dishes and desserts.

The citrus market is characterized by its diversity of distribution channels, making it B*B (***). This variety of channels enables citrus growers to reach different market segments and meet the varied needs of consumers and businesses.

B*B (***): Citrus growers interact with other companies within the supply chain. This includes the wholesale of citrus fruit to food wholesalers. Wholesalers buy large quantities of citrus ...

2.2 Fruit consumption

Purchasing criteria for fresh fruit and vegetables France, ****, in percent Franceagrimer

The seasonality of the product seems to remain the main criterion for buying fresh fruit and vegetables for the French, with **%, although it is closely followed by provenance with **%. These are major issues for consumers, not least as a result of current environmental debates and the importance attached to ethical production.

Trends in household fruit consumption by value and volume France, ****-****, in percent Franceagrimer We can observe a clear discrepancy between consumption by value and by volume, since despite a sharp increase in consumption by value (***). This means that despite a higher budget for fruit, households are consuming less of it.

In ****, a survey conducted by the Interprofession des fruits et légumes (***) and FranceAgrimer in France revealed that french confidence in vegetables was **% and **% in fruit, stable compared to **** after an increase in ****. fresh fruit and vegetables maintained a high level of trust, placing them at the top of the list of preferred fresh produce alongside bread. The major concerns of the French in **** were climatic hazards, such as frost, rain and drought, and rising prices, which outweighed historic concerns about chemical treatments. Although price rises were noted ...

2.3 Citrus fruit consumption

To estimate citrus consumption in France, we perform the following calculation: Imports+production-exports

Trend in citrus consumption in France France, ****-****, in thousands of tons FAOSTAT and UNCOMTRADE

Citrus consumption is set to fall slightly over the ****-**** period, with a decrease of **,*** tonnes. At the same time, fruit consumption in France has also fallen (***), so this statistic is not surprising.

Types of citrus fruit consumed in France France, ****, in thousands of tons FAOSTAT and UNCOMTRADE Oranges are the most popular citrus fruit in France, followed by clementines/mandarins/tangerines, lemons/limes and finally grapefruits/pomelos.

Are citrus fruits gaining in popularity?

(***) On the rise Change ****/**** Mango +**% Red berries +**% Peach-nectarine +*% Grape +*% Strawberry +*% Avocado +*% Decreasing Pear -*% Apple -*% Cherry -*% Orange -**% Pomelo -**% Lemon -**% Source : Franceagrimer Orange, pomelo and lemon seem to be on a fairly poor trend in terms of consumer popularity.

2.4 Organic

The most widely consumed organic products in France are fruit and vegetables. Citrus is no exception to the rule, and demand for organic citrus represents a fundamental element in French citrus demand.

Organic fruit consumption growth rates by year France, ****-****, in percent Agencebio

The rate of change in organic fruit consumption has fluctuated over the last decade. In ****, the rate rose by *.**% compared to ****, followed by a significant increase of **.**% in ****. In ****, it rose by *.**% and by *.**% in ****. In ****, a considerable increase of **.**% was observed, followed by an even greater increase of **.**% in ****. However, the rate fell to **.**% in **** and **.**% in ****. In ****, it dropped significantly to *.**%, but rebounded to **.**% in ****. However, in ****, the rate fell by *.**% compared with ****, and a further *.*% drop was seen in ****.So we can see that after a very rapid rise in organic consumption with a peak in ****, the increase slowed until we reached a decline in organic fruit consumption from ****/**** until today.

2.5 Demand cyclicality

Changes in interest in citrus research France, ****-**** google trends

Demand for citrus is particularly concentrated. Every year, there is a marked increase in searches at the end of the year in December . NB: the graph above represents the proportion of searches for a given keyword́ in a given region and for a specific perriod, in relation to the time when the rate of use of this keyword́ was highest (***). Thus, a value of ** means that the keyword was used half as much in the region concerned, and a value of * means that the data for this keyword is insufficient.

3.1 Value chain

Source: ****

3.2 Production

How are citrus fruits grown?

Growing conditions: Citrus thrives mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, generally located between **° north and south latitude. China leads the way in terms of citrus production, followed by Brazil and the United States. Citrus requires specific climatic conditions for optimum yields. Temperature is a critical factor, influencing growth, flowering, fruit set and quality. Citrus is sensitive to cold, with temperatures below -*°C causing significant damage. Relative humidity is also crucial, with an ideal range between **% and **%.

Soil and pH: Citrus can adapt to a variety of soil types, but they prefer deep, light soils such as loam, sandy loam or clay loam, which offer good drainage and adequate aeration. The optimum soil pH is generally between *.* and *. Maintaining this pH is essential to avoid deficiencies in micronutrients such as boron, zinc, manganese and copper, which are common in alkaline soils.

Citrus nutrition: Nutrient uptake by citrus varies throughout the year, peaking during flowering and fruit set. Maintaining the right nutritional balance is essential for healthy growth and high-quality fruit production. Monitoring soil pH and providing appropriate nutrients are common practices to achieve this goal.

Irrigation : The water requirements of citrus trees vary according to a ...

3.3 Distribution

The long circuit: This distribution channel involves several intermediaries, such as wholesalers or retailers, before reaching the end consumer. Supermarkets, for example, favor this channel. Advantages include wide geographic distribution, reduced storage and transport costs for the manufacturer, and a smaller sales force. However, the presence of intermediaries can reduce the producer's profit margin, and he loses direct contact with the end customer. The short circuit : In this case, there is only one intermediary between the citrus grower and the end consumer, usually a retailer or distributor. This enables the grower to secure a higher margin and benefit from the strength of the distribution network. However, logistics, delivery, transport and storage costs increase for the manufacturer, requiring a solid relationship with the distributor. The direct circuit : In this model, the manufacturer sells his citrus fruit directly to his customers, without any intermediaries. This enables him to develop a relationship of trust with customers, obtain feedback on the use of his products, set his own prices and maintain a high profit margin. However, the grower himself manages the entire sales process, including logistics, marketing and finding customers.

Citrus growers can use these different distribution channels in complementary ways to maximize their business ...

3.4 Corsican clementines and pomelos

Corsica has developed a strong tradition of citrus growing, with almost every residence owning citrus trees such as oranges, clementines, lemons, mandarins and blood oranges. Farmers in Corsica place great importance on preserving the freshness and flavor of their citrus fruits, picking them when fully ripe and storing them under the trees. Citrus cultivation in Corsica is appreciated for its simplicity, requiring no special treatments, but rather appropriate care and good growing conditions. The fruit is generally harvested in winter, and the region enjoys a favorable climate for its cultivation. Products derived from Corsican citrus fruits, such as fruit juices, jams and essential oils, are also popular and used in a variety of applications, including cooking, perfumery and pharmaceutical purposes. Corsica organizes fairs to promote its citrus fruits, offering growers the opportunity to showcase their citrus varieties and by-products, thus reinforcing the reputation of this agricultural tradition in the region.

Corsica has established itself as an emblematic citrus-growing region in France, notably with the production of clementines and pomelos. The Corsican clementine, discovered around a century ago, is the result of a natural cross between the common mandarin and a sweet orange. It is the fruit of meticulous selection work carried ...

3.5 Analysis of costs and returns

Production costs:

Labor, inputs, water and irrigation, energy, as well as equipment and infrastructure are key elements in the cost of citrus production. Labor includes expenses for various tasks such as planting, pruning, harvesting and tree maintenance. Inputs required for tree health and yield include products such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Water is crucial for citrus growth, and energy is used to power irrigation systems, harvesting equipment and frost protection systems. Finally, equipment and infrastructure costs can include investments in tractors, sprayers, storage warehouses and other equipment.

Let's take a look at citrus yields over the ****-**** period:

Lemon and lime production yields France, ****-****, in kg/Ha FAOSTAT

Lemon and lime production yields France, ****-****, in kg/Ha FAOSTAT Grapefruit and pomelo production yields France, ****-****, in kg/Ha FAOSTAT Clementine, mandarin and tangerine production yields France, ****-****, in kg/Ha FAOSTAT The clementine/mandarin/tangerine group and the grapefruit/pomelo group have a much higher yield than other citrus fruits. Grapefruit/pomelos also show stable yield growth , and do not seem to have been really affected by the **** economic climate.

4.1 Offer typology

Source: ****

Citrus products :

Orange juice

Lemon juice

Grapefruit juice

Tangerine juice

Lime juice

Marmalade

Jelly

Candied zest

Sorbet

Essential oil

Vinegar

Sweets

Tart

Liqueurs

Sauce

Cakes and cookies

Jam

Chocolate

Fragrances

Skin care products

4.2 Sales prices in France

Average annual retail prices per kilogram for * citrus fruits France, ****-****, in €/kg INSEE

From **** to ****, prices for oranges, lemons and clementines have risen overall. The price of oranges rose from €*.** in **** to €*.* in ****. The price of lemons has risen from €*.** in **** to €*.** in ****. Finally, the price of clementines has risen from €* in **** to €*.** in ****. However, these increases have not been regular every year. For example, the price of oranges stagnated at €*.** from **** to ****, and that of lemons fell to €*.** in **** before rising again.

In ****, retail prices will average €*.* per kilogram for oranges, €*.** for lemons, €*.** for clementines and €*.** for grapefruit...

4.3 Supply trends

In ****, over **,*** farms, or **.*% of farms in France, were involved in organic farming, either certified or in transition to certification. Although the number of organic producers will have increased by *.*% in ****, this growth rate is lower than in ****. Half of the cessations of certification recorded in **** are due to retirement, rather than a change in farm management. These certified organic farms cover a total area of *.** million hectares, making France the country with the largest organic agricultural area in Europe for the second year running.

Growth in organic citrus production area France, ****-****, in hectares agencebio

We can see that the area under organic production (***) is steadily increasing, demonstrating a real willingness on the part of citrus growers to adapt to a new market.

In Corsica, France's major citrus-growing region, the organic production area for pomelos has increased by a factor of *.**, and for clementines by a factor of *.** (***).

The recent drop in the area under conversion heralds a potential future decline in the supply of organic citrus fruit.

5.1 UNECE Standard FFV-14 concerning the marketing and commercial quality control of citrus fruit

I. Product definition

This standard applies to citrus fruit of varieties (***) grown from the following species, to be supplied fresh to the consumer, citrus fruit for industrial processing being excluded:

Lemons from the species Citrus limon (***) Burm. f., or its hybrids. Persian limes from the species Citrus latifolia (***) Tanaka, large-fruited acid lime also known as Bearss or Tahiti, or its hybrids. Mexican limes from the species Citrus aurantiifolia (***) Swingle, also known as acid limes and Kirk limes, or its hybrids. Indian sweet limes, Palestinian sweet limes from the species Citrus limettioides Tanaka, or its hybrids. Mandarins from the species Citrus reticulata Blanco, including satsumas (***) from these species, or their hybrids. Oranges from the species Citrus sinensis (***) Osbeck, or its hybrids. Pomelos from the species Citrus paradisi Macfad, or its hybrids. Grapefruits or Shaddocks from the species Citrus maxima (***). Merr. or its hybrids.

II. Provisions concerning quality

The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for citrus fruit after preparation and packaging. However, at stages following export, products may show, in relation to the requirements of the standard :

A slight reduction in freshness or turgidity. For products in classes other than "Extra", slight deterioration due to their development and ...

5.2 Hygiene and sanitation package

The distribution of fruit and vegetables is strictly regulated by European health regulations for the agri-food sector. In ****, a set of standardized regulations came into force across the European Union, known as the "Hygiene Package". These regulations provide a framework for the entire industry and all its players: producers, distributors and consumers.

This regulation is made up of several texts:

Regulation (***) n°***/**** Regulation (***) n°***/**** Regulation (***) n°***/**** Regulation (***) n°***/**** Regulation (***) n°***/**** regulation (***) regulation (***)

Source: ****

Since July *, ****, certain information has been compulsory and must be visible on the label accompanying the retail sale of fruit and vegetables(***)

the nature of the product country of origin (***) in characters of the same size as those indicating the price price by weight or piece

5.3 Appellations and certifications

Other tools can be used to certify the origin or quality of strawberries.

The Appellation d'Origine Protégée (***) is a European sign with value throughout the EU, awarded to a product whose every stage of production respects a recognized know-how in the same geographical area, giving the product its characteristics. In ****, there were *** PDOs in the agri-food sector.

The Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (***) can be considered as a stage prior to the PDO. The AOC uses the same criteria as the PDO, and protects the designation on French territory. It also covers products not covered by the European designation, such as forest products.

Label Rouge is a French label awarded to products which, due to their production or manufacturing conditions, are of a higher quality than other similar products usually marketed.

The Protected Geographical Indication (***) is reserved for agricultural products, raw or processed, for which certain characteristics, such as quality or reputation, are linked to their geographical origin. Among agri-food products, *** PGIs were registered in France in ****.

In addition to these various designations and certifications, industry players are increasingly committed to ensuring that their products are easily traceable, from consumer to producer.

6.1 Segmentation

• Agrial Coopérative Primeal
• Carrefour Groupe
• Auchan groupe
• E.Leclerc
• Eurogroup Consulting
• Andros Groupe
• Tropicana
• Joker (Eckes Granini France)
• Innocent
• Biocoop
• Naturalia
• Bio c' Bon
• La Vie Claire