Fruit

From tacle to mapo, how new types of citrus fruits extend the season

Space for varieties suited to warmer winters and changing tastes. The sector is worth EUR 1.8 billion, but the trade balance is negative

by Manuela Soressi

24 February 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Negative trade balance
Citrus becomes premium

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The launch of guaranteed-pigmented blood oranges, the introduction of clementines that resist climate change, the development of new varieties of even later mandarins, and the growth of small, sweet and easy-to-peel citrus fruits such as the miyagawa and the mapo. Then there is the rediscovery (also botanical) of the pomelo, the boom of the yuzu in haute cuisine and the opportunities (yet to be exploited) to return to exploiting lemons and grapefruits. The citrus fruit sector is a universe on the move, where Italia is an important player, with an average annual production of 3.2 million tonnes for a value of 1.8 billion euro and an offer that ranges from oranges to lemons, from mandarins to grapefruits, from clementines to bergamots.

"The organoleptic quality, also due to its privileged geographical position, has allowed Italian citrus farming to distinguish itself for its sustainability, attention to consumer health and strong identity linked to the Mediterranean diet and territory," stressedCREA president Andrea Rocchi on the occasion of Citrus Day, the annual event dedicated to citrus research carried out in Italia.

Negative trade balance

But despite our long tradition of production, the balance of trade in citrus fruit is negative: in 2024 we imported 334 thousand tonnes of citrus fruit (mainly from Spain, South Africa and Egypt) worth 323.5 million euro and exported 255 thousand tonnes, collecting over 314 million (Fruitimprese data).

The figures for the first nine months of 2025 show an import growth of 8.8% in quantity and 30.3% in value against an export increase of 14% and 20% respectively. So, while our main rival Spain is a net exporter (60% of production), we are in fact an importer (less than 10% export). With some nice exceptions, such asthe Igp Sicilian Red Orange, which places more than half of its fruit abroad. Or like the mandarins and clementines segment, where exports have exceeded imports with a surplus of 5.3 million since 2024. "Small citrus fruits are in tenth place among the most exported Italian fruits. An exceptional result if one considers that they are produced for only a few months of the year,' stresses Mario Lo Schiano Moriello of Ismea.

Domestic or imported, citrus fruits remain a very important family for the national fruit and vegetable sector both in terms of market size and added value, thanks toa difference between average production cost and average selling price of 60% for tarocco oranges and 100% for clementines, as calculated by Ismea. All the more reason to make citrus fruit a fundamental category for retailers, not least because they come to bring freshness, choice, and colour in a 'difficult' and not very generous season for the fruit and vegetable department of shops. This is also why the world of citrus fruit is subject to continuous 'maintenance'.

Citrus becomes premium

"For oranges the effort is to rationalise the assortment in order to avoid overlaps, while for small citrus fruits on the one hand we invest in a branded and premium offer (such as the 1 kg boxes) and on the other hand in varietal innovation to extend the production calendar, which is especially interesting for late productions," comments Salvo Garipoli, director of Sg Marketing. We are beginning to see the fruits of the investments made over the last decade in various southern regions, such as Sicily and Campania, to extend the window of availability for citrus fruits. If until a few years ago the campaign lasted about three months, today it has reached seven. It starts in October with early clementines and goes on until the end of May with the last late oranges.

In the meantime, several fruits are coming up, less significant in terms of production and consumption (such as Tacle and Nova), but important in tactical terms because they make it possible to preside over valuable space at the point of sale and to continue to offer an important range in terms of breadth, since it also touches on twelve references. The availability of citrus fruit for such a long period generates advantages for both producers and retailers and also allows both to cover all market segments. Even if almost everyone focuses on the top one.

"We are witnessing a premiumisation of the citrus fruit market through routes that enhance the territory theme, as is happening in oranges (especially those with designation of origin), or brands that sign premium selections packaged in trunks, as is happening in clementines with leaves and lemons," adds Garipoli.