FOREWORD

The past two decades have witnessed a rapid expansion in the production of citrus fruits in the United States, with the result that growers and packers have acquired a definite interest in export markets. At the same time, production and exports from a number of other important producing areas in the world have also risen rapidly, so that, prior to the present European war, competition in world markets had become increasingly severe. European outlets for American citrus fruits, however, have been almost closed since the outbreak of the war; and with a continuation of this situation, larger consumption in the United States is inevitable, either through commercial channels or through diversion to lower-income groups by Federal agencies, if present production levels are to be maintained.

The purpose of this publication is to present a statistical picture of the trends in world production and in the exports and imports of all countries which have any interest in citrus fruits, either as producers or as consumers of them, as a background study of the world situation with reference to these products prior to the war. This material will have its greatest value when the present European conflict is over and American citrus fruit growers may have some hope of again entering world markets.

This study was prepared in the Foodstuffs Division under the supervision of F. H. Rawls, Chief of the Division.

JAMES W. YOUNG, Director, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.

JULY 1940.

CITRUS FRUITS

WORLD PRODUCTION AND TRADE

INTRODUCTION

The upward trend in citrus-fruit production in practically every citrus-producing country has been gaining momentum during the past 20 years. This trend will probably continue for at least 5 years, as the more recent plantings come into bearing. War conditions have had little effect on the citrus groves in the countries at war.

WORLD PRODUCTION AND EXPORTATION

Although few countries have issued production data for citrus crops, indications are that production has increased rapidly in the countries which have small areas planted in these fruits as well as in the large producing countries. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that world production has increased, on an average, 10 million boxes a year in the past 10 years, 8 million of which was in orange production. Production has exceeded demand, and much fruit has been discarded because of lack of adequate markets.

World orange production is almost 200 million boxes a year, of which the United States produces 35 percent; Spain and Brazil, 17 percent each; Italy, Japan, and Egypt, 5 percent each; and Palestine, 4 percent. The production of grapefruit is considerably less than that of oranges, but the increase in production during the past 5 years has been more rapid. The introduction of grapefruit into new markets has been pushed vigorously, and the consequent heavy demand has resulted in rapid expansion of production. The United States produces about 88 percent of the world crop and Palestine about 5 percent. Grapefruit is grown to some extent in practically every citrus-producing country; and because of the growing popularity of this fruit, production will probably continue to rise for several years. Lemons are not grown as widely as oranges and grapefruit, and production remains more stable. The United States and Italy produce over 90 percent of the world crop.

Limes are grown in many of the citrus-producing countries, but the harvest is comparatively small and is used chiefly in the manufacture of lime juice and oil. Small quantities, only, are shipped as fresh or pickled limes.

Of more importance to the world situation than production is the surplus citrus crops available for export. Some countries which are large producers export only a small percentage of their crop because of their large domestic demand. On the other hand, many small citrus areas export almost their entire crop. The volume of oranges and lemons entering world trade has remained fairly constant during

the past 10 years, with the result that producers throughout the world are unable to market their entire exportable crop. Exports of grapefruit have grown steadily.

Growers in many countries have been granted government assistance in producing and handling their crops, inasmuch as exports of citrus fruits have not kept pace with production. Growers have also been encouraged to divert large portions of their crops to preparation in the form of canned fruit and fruit juice, oils, and acids. This phase of the industry has developed rapidly in the past several years, and a considerable proportion of the citrus crops now enters world markets as a manufactured product.

Increasing competition in world markets has brought about more uniform grading and packing of the citrus fruits which enter these markets, and this improvement in preparation has evidently aided in creating a better demand. On the other hand, import and export trade regulations and restrictions in many importing and exporting countries have influenced the world movement of citrus fruits.1

Citrus fruits are available throughout the year, and because of the large excess production, a crop shortage in any country is readily compensated for by the surplus from some other area. Thus, world demand is usually completely satisfied.

1 These regulations and restrictions are discussed in Foreign Import Duties and Regulations on Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, issued by the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce in March 1940, as Trade Promotion Series No. 206.

HARVESTING AND SHIPPING SEASONS

The harvest and shipping seasons in the various citrus areas are as follows:

PRODUCTION AND TRADE BY COUNTRIES

World exports of grapefruit increased from approximately 2,500,000 boxes in 1935 to 4,275,000 boxes in 1938, with Palestine supplying from 33 percent in 1935 to 48 percent in 1938, and the United States from almost 40 percent in 1935 to 26 percent in 1938.

In the following pages citrus-fruit production, imports, and exports are discussed for each of the countries for which information is available.

To make the statistics comparable, conversions to boxes of 70 pounds each or to boxes of 100 grapefruit, 200 oranges, and 300 lemons have been made where the trade figures were given by weight or number.

NORTH AMERICA

UNITED STATES

Production of Citrus Fruits in the United States, by States, 1935-391

1 Estimates of production include fruit consumed on farms, sold locally, and used for manufacturing purposes, as well as that shipped. Fruit ripened on the trees but destroyed by freezing or storms prior to picking is not included. The estimates cover the crop produced from the bloom of the year shown. In California, where picking continues throughout the year, the estimates are for 12-month periods beginning November 1. In other States the season begins about September 1.

2 Net content of boxes varies. In California and Arizona, the approximate average for oranges is 70 pounds net and grapefruit 60 pounds; in Florida and other States, oranges 90 pounds and grapefruit 80 pounds; in California, lemons about 76 pounds net.

Source: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Agricultural Economics.