Egypt is rapidly strengthening its position in the global citrus market, demonstrating impressive growth in orange exports to Argentina, reports EastFruit. According to Global Trade Tracker data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Argentina, Egypt supplied 4,800 tons of oranges to the Argentine market in the current marketing year (MY), valued at over $3.3 million. This is three times more than in the previous MY and marks a record for this trade route.
Notably, the first export shipments of Egyptian oranges to Argentina began only in MY 2020/21, when exports totaled just 250 tons. In just four marketing years, Egypt has increased its exports fourteenfold, with an average annual growth rate of 94%.
Although Argentina is not a leading global producer of oranges, it actively cultivates and exports them. According to the FAO, the country produced over 1 million tons of oranges in 2023, exporting around 35,000 tons. The main export destinations are Paraguay, Brazil, and Spain.
The orange marketing year in Argentina runs from June to November. During this period, Argentina supplies its domestic market with fresh oranges and exports part of its harvest. In the off-season, to meet demand, the country imports oranges from the Northern Hemisphere, which conveniently aligns with Egypt's production window.
Until MY 2022/23, Spain was the main supplier of oranges to the Argentine market, accounting for 70–90% of imports. Brazil and Mexico also contributed. However, over the past three marketing years, the situation has changed dramatically. While Egypt did not match Spain's export volumes in MY 2022/23, by MY 2023/24, Egyptian oranges had already taken the lead in the Argentine market. As of the first 11 months of the current MY, Egypt's share exceeds 75%.
The growth in Egyptian orange exports to Argentina is driven by several factors. First, the devaluation of the Egyptian pound in recent years has made Egyptian products more competitive in international markets, including South America. Second, improvements in orange quality, thanks to modernized agricultural practices and strict pesticide controls, have enabled Egypt to meet international standards. Another important factor was the liberalization of Argentine imports. Following the adoption of Decree 35/25 by the government in January 2025, which removed or simplified several import restrictions, imports from other countries increased sharply.
The record growth in Egyptian orange exports to Argentina confirms Egypt's status as a leading global supplier of affordable citrus. However, the development of Egypt's processing industry, including the launch of new orange juice production facilities in 2025 and 2026, may shift the balance between the fresh and processed markets. This could lead to higher prices for fresh oranges, potentially prompting Argentina to seek alternative suppliers.
Nevertheless, current trends indicate that Egypt will remain a key player in Argentina's citrus market, ensuring stable off-season supplies and contributing to the continued strengthening of trade relations between the two countries.
Source: EastFruit