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Orange and lemon updates
Profitability is mixed for lemon and orange growers.
Orange growers are about 50% through navel harvest. While prices are down due to the small size profile, quality is generally good and later season fruit may begin to size up. Juice prices remain strong and provide a floor for smaller and lower quality fruit. Some are optimistic that fresh fruit exports will pick up through the remainder of the season. South Korea and Canada make up more than half of orange exports by value, followed by Japan at 11%, Mexico at 10% and Hong Kong at 8%. On March 4, The Trump Administration announced tariffs on Mexico and Canada, which could disrupt typical trade flows.
Lemon harvest in the coastal region is underway following the end of the season in the San Joaquin Valley. While fruit quality is good, growers face weak demand and a small size profile. There are reports of lemon acres being removed and replanted with other crops, including avocados. Some growers are not harvesting the current crop due to prices being below harvest costs.
Profitability
March 12, 2025
Lemons: Slightly unprofitable - Neutral 12-month outlook
Oranges: Slighlty profitable - Neutral 12-month outlook
Weak demand will continue to weigh on lemon growers.
Good quality and improving fruit sizes should continue to support demand. Some expect exports to increase later in the season.
