The value of citrus across Europe and beyond 

The EU Mediterranean region alone produces around 20% of the world’s citrus, while accounting for 70% of global citrus exports.(ref. 1)In 2022, nearly 6 million tonnes of oranges were produced in Europe – mostly by Spain, Italy, and Greece. Citrus exports from the EU were valued at around €900 million, with major markets including the UK and Switzerland.(ref. 2 , 3).

 
Citrus production under stress: the economy is not the only victim 

This huge production doesn’t affect only a wide economic web, but it also directly affects rural livelihoods and ecosystems. Here is why: 

• Citrus farming is a key economic driver in southern European rural areas, supporting thousands of jobs, from orchard workers to logistics and processing professionals. 

• In 2022–23, total EU citrus production dropped by 10% to 10.4 million tonnes, highlighting the vulnerability of rural livelihoods to environmental stress (ref. 4).

• In 2023/24, orange output fell due to drought and heat, while lemon and grapefruit volumes partially offset the decline. Spain accounted for 50% of EU orange yields.(ref. 5) Meanwhile, EU citrus imports surged. EU orange imports rose by 41%, primarily from South Africa, reflecting growing vulnerability to supply shocks. (ref. 6).
   

Besides producers, biodiversity also suffers due to pests: 

• Citrus crops are biodiversity-rich agro-ecosystems, contributing to the resilience of landscapes. They have become increasingly threatened by citrus greening (Huanglongbing, HLB). This disease is responsible for up to 60% crop losses in affected countries, and we are here to combat this.(ref. 7)

The spread of Trioza erytreae, the vector insect for HLB, has already been documented in northwest Spain and Portugal, raising the urgency for preventive solutions.(ref. 8)
 

CITRUSBUSTERS steps in 

 
For CITRUSBUSTERS this is more than a scientific research, it’s a whole program to sustain economies, jobs, and culture, across rural Europe.  

By innovating early detection, resilient varieties, and sustainable biocontrol strategies, we safeguard not just the crop, but the people and places that depend on it.