Total U.S. exports of citrus in 2023 were up 2% over the previous year, trade numbers say.
By citrus variety, U.S. orange exports totaled $602.9 million for calendar year 2023, up 8% from 2022 but down 14% from 2021.
Lemon and lime exports were pegged at $134.3 million for 2023, down 12% from 2022 and down 5% from 2021.
Grapefruit exports were $31 million, down 16% from 2022 and 38% lower than 2021.
Exports for the “other citrus” category were $17.8 million in 2023, down 24% from 2022 and 28% lower than 2021.
Canada was the top market for U.S. citrus in 2023. U.S. exports of oranges and tangerines totaled $168.3 million, up 13% from 2022. Exports of lemons and limes to Canada reached $50.9 million, down 1% from 2022. U.S. grapefruit exports to Canada in 2023 totaled $8.4 million, down 15% from year-ago levels.
South Korea was the second-ranked export destination for U.S. citrus, with orange and tangerine sales valued at $135.4 million, up 1% from 2022. Lemon and lime exports to South Korea totaled $28.8 million, down 6% from the prior year.
Other highlights from the report include:
- Japan purchased $69.9 million in U.S. oranges and tangerines in 2023, down 2% from 2022.
- Hong Kong purchased $51.6 million in U.S. oranges in 2023, up 17% from year-ago levels.
- Sales of U.S. oranges and tangerines to Mexico totaled $47.2 million in 2023, up 62% from 2022.
