Albania increases orange plantations by 50%

The economy of Albania is based on agriculture, and although it is one of the smallest countries in Europe, the favorable Mediterranean climate has led to an increase of citrus fruits plantations, which bring a considerable income to this state.

In a period of one year (between 2017 and 2018), the areas under oranges increased by 50%, reaching 300 hectares, according to fruit-inform.com. Around 10.8 thousand tons of the fruit was harvested, and, as claimed by numerous producers, the volume of the production will continue to grow, considering the active expansion of the areas, the favorable climate and the proximity of the largest market – the European Union. The possibility of exports to Russia should not be overlooked either, which EU states are currently unable to do.

Of course, compared to EU members, the numbers are negligible. Let us remind that EU states harvested 6.5 million tons of this fruit in 2018, the largest production volume after 2010. The record-breaking harvest in Spain contributed to this result with its 3.6 million tons, making up 56% of the total value.

If this trend of growth continues, Albania might still become an important supplier of oranges to the European market.

Brazil is the leading producer of fresh oranges in the world, accounting for around 30% of the total global production, and as much as 94% of the production in the country is concentrated in Sao Paulo. Brazil is also the leading exporter of this fruit and the juice based on it.

In 2018, the European Union imported 1.1 million tons of this fruit, worth EUR 500 million, from countries outside the EU. Around three quarters came from South Africa (465,000 tons) and Egypt (328,000 tons), Eurostat says.

Sao Paulo

South Africa

citrus fruits

Mediterranean climate

oranges

production of oranges

harvesting of oranges

export of oranges

orange juice