Leading Countries in Grapefruit Exports in the World

Grapefruit is a type of fruit belonging to the Citrus family. The fruit has a bitter-sour taste and is red and orange. Grapefruit is a tropical and juicy fruit rich in minerals and vitamins. Like all other citrus fruits, grapefruit is suitable for growing in warm climates. Growing grapefruit in regions where the air temperature drops below -9 degrees is impossible. There are varieties of grapefruit in different sizes, colors, and flavors. There are about 20 varieties of grapefruit that are grown and most consumed in the world.

Grapefruit begins to be harvested in October and November and is a healthy citrus fruit most consumed in winter. So which countries grow this healthy and delicious fruit and which countries export it? In this article, we will talk about the answers to these questions. Let's dive into the leading countries in grapefruit export together.

All About Grapefruit

Citrus fruits are fruits of different types and flavors. In addition, citrus fruits are a group of fruits that are frequently consumed around the world due to their known positive effects on health and nutrition. Grapefruit is a fruit belonging to the citrus family. Like other citrus fruits, this fruit is used in many areas, including other food industries. Grapefruit is consumed fresh, processed, and used as a raw material for many by-products. Examples are grapefruit juice, marmalade, and canned foods. Grapefruit is a fruit that is also used in the chemical industry. Products such as perfume, shampoo, and soap are produced from the volatile fatty acids of grapefruit.

Benefits of Grapefruit

Grapefruit is a fruit rich in vitamin C.  In this way, the consumption of grapefruit strengthens the immune system. Besides, the fruit acts as an antioxidant and maintains skin health. It contains calcium, iron, and magnesium minerals. Grapefruit is a fruit that should be consumed to protect and strengthen the immune system during the cold winter months.

Most Consumed Types of Grapefruit

There are dozens of varieties of grapefruit, and these varieties differ from each other in terms of color and taste.

Pink Grapefruit

Pink grapefruit has a sour and sweet flavor. In addition, pink grapefruit is the tastiest type of grapefruit. It is the most preferred grapefruit variety for fresh consumption and for making grapefruit juice.

Red Grapefruit

The redder the color of a grapefruit, the sweeter it is. Red grapefruits are an excellent source of lycopene and beta-carotene.

White Grapefruit

White grapefruits have a sour taste but are not too bitter. This type of grapefruit has the most aromatic smell. It has a uniquely beautiful scent. In particular, it is used to make shampoos and perfumes.

Top Grapefruit Exporting Countries

In the 2020-2021 agricultural season, approximately 6.7 million tons of grapefruit were produced around the world. In the 2021/2022 period, grapefruit production is estimated to be about 6.96 million tons. 

According to the data for 2021, the country that exported the most grapefruit in the world was South Africa. The country that produced the most grapefruit was China. In the same year, the country that imported the most grapefruit was the Netherlands. The leading grapefruit-exporting countries worldwide are South Africa, Turkey, China, and Israel, The USA. Let's take a closer look.

South Africa

According to the current data shared by the USDA, South Africa produced 351.043 tons of grapefruit in the 2020/2021 season. According to the estimated data of the USDA, South Africa is expected to produce 380,000 tons of grapefruit in the 2021/2022 season.

South Africa ranks first in grapefruit exports by increasing its grapefruit export every year in the last ten years. In 2021, South Africa exported $246.1 million worth of grapefruit. Also, the countries that South Africa exports the most grapefruit to are the EU, China, Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom, respectively. In 2021, South Africa exported about 85,000 tons of grapefruit to the EU market. The second largest grapefruit market in South Africa is China. South Africa exported 50,000 tons of grapefruit to China in 2020. Besides, in 2021, a significant increase was observed in the export figures. In 2021, South Africa exported 76,000 tons of grapefruit to China, increasing its exports by 52%.

Turkey

Turkey is among the leading countries in grapefruit production and export. In 2021, 249,000 tons of grapefruit were produced in Turkey. The provinces where grapefruit is produced the most are Adana, Mersin, Hatay, and Muğla, respectively. In 2021, Turkey exported 148,869 tons of grapefruit to different countries of the world. The countries to which Turkey exports the most grapefruit are Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria, respectively. 47,155 tons of grapefruit were exported to Russia and 17,203 tons of grapefruit to Poland from Turkey in 2021.

China

China met 24% of grapefruit exports worldwide in 2021. In the agricultural season 2021/2022, China exported 200 thousand tons of grapefruit. In addition, China received 151 million dollars in foreign currency from grapefruit exports. Russia is the country that imports the most grapefruit from China.

Israel 

The Mediterranean climate dominates in the northern part of Israel. Grapefruit is produced in the northern region, which has hot summers and mild winters. Israel is among the leading countries in the world in grapefruit exports. In the 2020/2022 agricultural season, Israel met 8% of world grapefruit exports. In the same season, Israel exported 63 thousand tons of grapefruit. Also, Israel obtained $65.8 million in foreign exchange from these exports.

United States of America

According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the USA is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of fresh grapefruit. In the USA, grapefruit is grown in Florida, Arizona, California, and Texas. Besides, pink grapefruit is the most popular type of grapefruit grown in the USA. In 2021, the USA exported 35 thousand tons of grapefruit to the world. The USA met 3% of world grapefruit exports in 2021.