Imports play a big role in summer citrus window
The expansion of U.S. citrus imports over the past 20 years has been fueled by Southern Hemisphere supply during the spring and summer months.
Total U.S. citrus imports in 2021 were valued at $1.6 billion, up 17% from $1.4 billion in 2020 and 30% higher than $1.2 billion in 2019.
The share of U.S. citrus imports during the five months of April through August has increased markedly over the past 20 years. The USDA said that the annual share of U.S. citrus imports imported from April through August rose from just 29% in 2000 to 49% in 2021.
USDA trade numbers show that the value of U.S. citrus imports during the months from April through August in 2021 reached $784.5 million, up 10% from $712.9 million in 2020 and 25% higher than $628 million in 2019. In fact, 2021 imports of citrus during the April through August period were more than 10 times the level of 2020.
Here are the top suppliers of citrus to the U.S., with 2021 total value of imports and the percent share imported during April through August:
- Mexico: $686.4 million, 45% imported from April through August
- Chile: $441.8 million, 45% imported from April through August
- Peru: $120.3 million, 79% imported from April through August
- South Africa: $102.5 million, 56% imported from April through August
- Argentina: $71.1 million, 89% imported from April through August
- Morocco: $70.7 million, 6% imported from April through August
- Colombia: $33.1 million, 44% imported from April through August
- Israel: $11.1 million, 31% imported from April through August
- Australia: $18 million, 22% imported from April through August
