In this article we are going to list the 5 countries that produce the most orange juice in the world. For a detailed coverage of this topic and a more comprehensive list please take a look at the 12 countries that produce the most orange juice in the world.
5. China
Total orange juice production in 2020 (in metric tonnes): 26,920
Total orange juice production in 2021 (in metric tonnes): 19,250
According to Globe News Wire, China’s orange juice market will grow to be worth $1 billion in 2026, at a CAGR of 5% from 2020 to 2026. Demand for orange juice in the country is increasing as people become more health conscious.
4. South Africa
Total orange juice production in 2020 (in metric tonnes): 22,140
Total orange juice production in 2021 (in metric tonnes): 31,320
The largest orange juice producer in Africa, South Africa saw the second highest increase in orange juice production in our list, much higher than PR News Wire’s report of the juice industry in the country growing by 3.4% while according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, orange production in South Africa increased by just 6%.
3. United States
Total orange juice production in 2020 (in metric tonnes): 230,000
Total orange juice production in 2021 (in metric tonnes): 159,000
The U.S. orange juice industry has seen prices surge in the last few years, due to a reduction in availability of oranges. In the country, the Covid-19 pandemic saw demand for orange juice increase as a source of vitamin C to bolster immunity. Because prices are increasing, demand seems to be dropping off as well, with consumers switching to other fruit juices. The U.S. has seen the biggest decline in orange juice production of any nation. The recent Hurricane Ian in Florida, the biggest orange juice producer in the country, has impacted the industry’s supply chain. Other factors impacting orange juice production in the U.S. include rising inflation, citrus greening disease attacks and the upcoming recession which may have a further negative growth rate in the coming year.
2. Mexico
Total orange juice production in 2020 (in metric tonnes): 220,000
Total orange juice production in 2021 (in metric tonnes): 215,000
The second largest producer and exporter of orange juice in the world, Mexico’s orange juice production is generally intended for consumption in the domestic market even though it is a major net exporter. While the majority of orange juice in Mexico is used in frozen concentrates, not-from-concentrate production has seen high growth rates as well. Between 2020 and 2021, Mexico did register a slight decline in its orange juice production, one of six countries in our list which has seen a fall in production. Because of erratic weather patterns, orange juice production in the last few years has been inconsistent. The average juice yield for Mexico orange juice production is between 5.6 an 5.7 single-strength equivalent gallons per box each season.
1. Brazil
Total orange juice production in 2020 (in metric tonnes): 944,000
Total orange juice production in 2021 (in metric tonnes): 1,134,000
Easily topping the list of the 12 countries that produce the most orange juice in the world is Brazil, whose orange juice production is more than five times that of second-placed Mexico. Brazil has been the leading producer of orange juice for a while now, and is the only country which has produced more than 1 million metric tonnes of orange juice in a year. Most of the oranges in Brazil come from the citrus belt located in the Sao Paolo state, while the western part of the Minas Gerais State is an important contributor to this industry as well. Brazil is home to the largest producer of orange juice concentrate in the world in Citrosuco, which has offices in Brazil, the U.S., Japan, Germany and Belgium. Another major company engaged in this industry is Sucocitrico Cutrale, which is headquartered in Sao Paolo.
One of the issues faced by Brazil in the orange juice industry is that land in the citrus producing areas is increasingly expensive due to scarcity, because of which it is harder for farmers to purchase land in the area. To combat this, densification is being implemented where more citrus trees are planted in the same area which has resulted in an improvement in productivity. This process also has a few challenges with higher density as it is harder for machinery to be used though the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
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