Egypt’s orange exports set to recover

Egypt has become a major citrus export in recent years. After a difficult 2019/20, the country’s fresh orange exports are set to rise 9% in 2020/21 compared to the previous campaign. The total volume is projected at 1.5 million tons, according to FAS Cairo data. The increase is the result of a larger crop due to favourable weather conditions. The main export markets remain Saudi Arabia, Russia, the Netherlands, China, and the UAE, as well as New Zealand, Japan, and Brazil. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a 20% reduction in 2019/20 orange exports compared to the previous marketing year. Egypt has opened new markets in recent years thanks to the setting up of a traceability system. All of these developments support a positive outlook for Egyptian orange exports as well as encouraging agribusinesses to invest in establishing new facilities or expand capacity. Orange is the major citrus species crop in Egypt, representing about 80% of the total cultivated citrus area.