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Lemon and orange updates
Valencia harvest wraps up.
California orange growers are wrapping up the Valencia harvest and preparing for the early clementine season. Crop conditions appear generally favorable, with growers reporting good fruit sizing and stable pricing. However, weather remains the primary concern heading into the new crop cycle. El Niño could bring increased rainfall and lead to harvest disruptions, quality challenges, and potential packinghouse backlogs if picking is interrupted and later resumes at a rapid pace. Growers are also monitoring citrus mealybug pressure, which has emerged as a quality concern in some production areas. USDA forecasts the 2026-27 navel crop at 84 million cartons, 2.4% above the 2025-26 crop and 15% above the five-year average. Fruit size is about average while trees per acre and fruit set are up slightly. It remains unclear if the larger crop will negatively impact prices.
Lemon harvest in the coastal growing region is wrapping up and reports suggest fruit quality has been favorable. While prices remain above last season’s levels, returns remain near break-even levels for many growers. Some growers are reportedly skipping late-season harvest as expected returns do not justify harvest costs. Lemon acreage continues to be removed and replanted to avocados in Ventura County. Harvest is accelerating in the desert growing region and while sizing is reportedly favorable, reports suggest excessive heat, humidity and wind have led to some quality issues. Harvest in the Central Valley has started and production levels, along with fruit size and quality, are reportedly favorable.
Profitability
September 16, 2026Lemons: Breakeven profitability - Neutral 12-month outlook
Oranges: Slightly profitable - Neutral 12-month outlook
Relatively weak markets along with a surge in South American imports are pressuring lemon prices.
Orange prices have been impacted by large fruit sizing, quality issues and lower juice prices. Despite these challenges, most producers remain slightly profitable.
Domestic markets make up the vast majority of lemon and orange demand, with exports only accounting for about 11% of total production. The largest foreign markets include Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Japan, and to a much lesser extent, Hong Kong. Lemon and orange imports have increased significantly over the last decade and make up 17% of total domestic supply, a relatively high amount compared to other specialty crops. Increased plantings coupled with low labor costs and minimal trade barriers have enabled citrus growers in Central and South America to compete in U.S. markets.
Lemon production, exports and imports
USDA Citrus Fruits Summary. U.S. Census Bureau. Crop year is from August to July.
Orange production, exports and imports
USDA Citrus Fruits Summary. U.S. Census Bureau. Crop year is from October to September.
Tariff tracker - Tariff rates applied to U.S. trade partners are consistenly updated to reflect policy changes. The World Trade Organization (WTO) tracks duties and tariffs on lemons and oranges. For your convenience, the following links will take you to tariff data for South Korea (fresh oranges and mandarins/tangerines/satsumas) and Japan (fresh oranges and mandarins/tangerines/satsumas). Citrus fruits are currently exempt from tariffs with Canada under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), but please refer to the U.S. Trade Representative website for up-to-date information. WTO also tracks rates for lemon imports and orange imports to the U.S. Please consult with a trade lawyer or professional for detailed and up-to-date insights on tariff rates and their application to lemons and oranges.
For guidance on interpreting duty and tariff rates, please refer to our Tariff Guide.
Lemon and orange updates
Valencia harvest wraps up.
California orange growers are wrapping up the Valencia harvest and preparing for the early clementine season. Crop conditions appear generally favorable, with growers reporting good fruit sizing and stable pricing. However, weather remains the primary concern heading into the new crop cycle. El Niño could bring increased rainfall and lead to harvest disruptions, quality challenges, and potential packinghouse backlogs if picking is interrupted and later resumes at a rapid pace. Growers are also monitoring citrus mealybug pressure, which has emerged as a quality concern in some production areas. USDA forecasts the 2026-27 navel crop at 84 million cartons, 2.4% above the 2025-26 crop and 15% above the five-year average. Fruit size is about average while trees per acre and fruit set are up slightly. It remains unclear if the larger crop will negatively impact prices.
Lemon harvest in the coastal growing region is wrapping up and reports suggest fruit quality has been favorable. While prices remain above last season’s levels, returns remain near break-even levels for many growers. Some growers are reportedly skipping late-season harvest as expected returns do not justify harvest costs. Lemon acreage continues to be removed and replanted to avocados in Ventura County. Harvest is accelerating in the desert growing region and while sizing is reportedly favorable, reports suggest excessive heat, humidity and wind have led to some quality issues. Harvest in the Central Valley has started and production levels, along with fruit size and quality, are reportedly favorable.
Profitability
September 16, 2026Lemons: Breakeven profitability - Neutral 12-month outlook
Oranges: Slightly profitable - Neutral 12-month outlook
Relatively weak markets along with a surge in South American imports are pressuring lemon prices.
Orange prices have been impacted by large fruit sizing, quality issues and lower juice prices. Despite these challenges, most producers remain slightly profitable.
Domestic markets make up the vast majority of lemon and orange demand, with exports only accounting for about 11% of total production. The largest foreign markets include Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Japan, and to a much lesser extent, Hong Kong. Lemon and orange imports have increased significantly over the last decade and make up 17% of total domestic supply, a relatively high amount compared to other specialty crops. Increased plantings coupled with low labor costs and minimal trade barriers have enabled citrus growers in Central and South America to compete in U.S. markets.
Lemon production, exports and imports
USDA Citrus Fruits Summary. U.S. Census Bureau. Crop year is from August to July.
Orange production, exports and imports
USDA Citrus Fruits Summary. U.S. Census Bureau. Crop year is from October to September.
Tariff tracker - Tariff rates applied to U.S. trade partners are consistenly updated to reflect policy changes. The World Trade Organization (WTO) tracks duties and tariffs on lemons and oranges. For your convenience, the following links will take you to tariff data for South Korea (fresh oranges and mandarins/tangerines/satsumas) and Japan (fresh oranges and mandarins/tangerines/satsumas). Citrus fruits are currently exempt from tariffs with Canada under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), but please refer to the U.S. Trade Representative website for up-to-date information. WTO also tracks rates for lemon imports and orange imports to the U.S. Please consult with a trade lawyer or professional for detailed and up-to-date insights on tariff rates and their application to lemons and oranges.
For guidance on interpreting duty and tariff rates, please refer to our Tariff Guide.
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Lemon and Orange Industry Perspective
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