Italy produces nearly one-third of the European Union’s oranges, but has lost nearly one-quarter of that output over the past twenty years. In 2025, the harvest totaled about 1.79 million metric tons, compared to 2.35 million in 2006 (ISTAT, 2026). Blood oranges are driving exports, while sweet oranges and navel oranges are being imported from abroad in increasing quantities (MAECI, 2026). Domestic consumption has fallen by one-third since 2020 (Fellin, 2026).
As with the Italian lemons, geographical indications account for only a marginal share of the supply chain. The “Arancia Rossa di Sicilia” PGI, Ribera Orange PDO, and Gargano Orange PGI accounted for approximately 35,000 metric tons in 2023, representing about 2% of national production (Fondazione Qualivita, n.d.-a, n.d.-b, n.d.-c).
Italian Oranges: Declining Production and Market Share in Europe
In 2025, the oranges In Italy covered 86,219 hectares under cultivation and produced 1.79 million metric tons. Compared to 2006, the area under cultivation decreased by 17.4%, production by 23.7%, and yield per hectare by 7.6%. Almost the entire harvest comes from Southern Italy: 62.2% from the Islands and 37.6% from the South, with a decline affecting both areas (ISTAT, 2026).
A European comparison, based on Eurostat’s still-preliminary data for 2025, shows two opposing trends. Italy shows the 30.5% of production of oranges of the European Union, Spain at 50.3%. Compared to 2015, Italian production fell by 20.9%, while Spanish production rose by 24.4% and European production remained stable, at -0.6% (ISTAT, 2026).
Foreign Trade: Italy Sells Redheads and Buys Blondes
The foreign trade data, compiled by the Economic Observatory of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs based on ISTAT figures, distinguish three categories of fresh sweet oranges: navel, blond, and ‘other sweet oranges'. This last category includes pigmented oranges. The table considers only fresh sweet oranges, because the "other oranges" category also includes dried and non-sweet oranges.
| Fresh sweet oranges, millions of euros | Exports 2024 | Export 2025 | Import 2024 | Import 2025 |
| Navel | 34 | 49 | 44 | 70 |
| Blondes | 13 | 11 | 50 | 62 |
| Other sweet oranges, including pigmented varieties | 77 | 79 | 17 | 19 |
| Total | 124 | 139 | 111 | 151 |
Source: Analysis by the MAECI Economic Observatory based on Istat data (MAECI, 2026). Provisional data for 2025.
In 2025, the balance for fresh sweet oranges turned negative, at approximately 12 million euros, after a surplus of 13 million in 2024. The overall figure, however, masks a clear trend toward specialization. On the pigmented oranges Italy exports four times as much as it imports, with a assets of approximately 60 million. In contrast, the navel and blonde segments have accumulated a deficit of over 70 million (MAECI, 2026). Across the entire citrus sector, exports reached 354.6 million euros in 2025, while imports totaled 388.3 million (MAECI, 2026).
Consumption is down; packaged goods outpace bulk goods
According to CSO Italy’s analysis reported in the trade press, Italian households purchased 344,000 metric tons of oranges in 2024. This is 3% less than in 2023 and about one-third less than in 2020. Total spending amounted to 539.9 million euros, with an average price of 1.57 euros per kilogram (Fellin, 2026).
The oranges go into the shopping cart of the 71% of Italian households, compared with over 80% before the pandemic. Purchases are concentrated between January and April, accounting for 63% of the total volume. The organic stands at 31,000 metric tons, down 6%. For the first time, the packaged, at 191,000 metric tons, surpassed bulk cargo, which fell to 153,000 (Fellin, 2026).
PDO and PGI: a small portion of production
The statistics published by Qualigeo allow for a consistent comparison among the three appellations for 2023.
| Name | Certified Production 2023 | Production Revenue for 2023 | Of which exports |
| Sicilian Red Orange (PGI) | 26,791.4 metric tons | 17.414 million € | 10.449 million € |
| Ribera Orange (PDO) | 8,143.8 metric tons | 4.886 million € | 0.786 million € |
| Gargano Orange PGI | 5.1 metric tons | n/a | n/a |
| Total | 34,940.4 metric tons | 22,300 million € | 11.235 million € |
Source: Qualivita Foundation, Qualigeo data sheets (n.d.-a, n.d.-b, n.d.-c). Quantities converted from kilograms to metric tons. Revenue and exports refer only to the two Sicilian appellations. n.a.: data not available.
The latest ISTAT data on national production pertains to 2025, while the most recent certified data dates back to 2023. The comparison between the two years should therefore be interpreted as an order of magnitude. Approximately 35,000 metric tons of certified production out of a total production of about 1.79 million metric tons is equivalent to a share of around 2% (ISTAT, 2026; Qualivita Foundation, n.d.-a, n.d.-b, n.d.-c). More than 97% of Italian oranges are therefore grown and sold outside these designations.
Geographical indications guarantee origin, controlled production methods, and traceability. However, the quality of Italian orange cultivation also includes organic, integrated, and conventional productions sold without PDO or PGI designations. Their value depends on the variety, agronomic management, and post-harvest care.
Three appellations, three regional identities
Sicilian Red Orange PGI: Pigmentation and Varieties
TheSicilian Red Orange (PGI), registered in 1996, includes the Tarocco, Moro, and Sanguinello varieties. The production area consists of 32 municipalities in the provinces of Catania, Syracuse, and Enna. The harvest runs from December to May and is Prohibited post-harvest degreening, that is, the artificial coloring of the peel (Qualivita Foundation, n.d.-c).
The red is due to anthocyanins. In blood oranges, a retrotransposon—a mobile genetic element—has inserted itself next to the gene Ruby, which regulates the production of these pigments. The cold activates the retrotransposon, and with it the gene: this is why pigmentation depends on low temperatures (Butelli et al., 2012). The Tarocco includes numerous selections, while the Moro produces more anthocyanins (Butelli et al., 2012).
The Protection Consortium brings together over 500 farms, with more than 7,200 hectares of certified land, 1,000 of which are organic. During the 2025/26 growing season, it marketed more than 24,000 metric tons, despite the damage caused by Cyclone Harry, with wind gusts exceeding 120 kilometers per hour. The event led to stricter sorting standards and additional costs at the packing facilities (Consortium for the Protection of Sicilian Red Oranges PGI, 2026).
Ribera DOP Oranges: Sicily’s Blonde, Navel-Shaped Oranges
TheRibera Orange (PDO), registered in 2011, includes the varieties Brasiliano, Washington Navel, and Navelina, along with their respective approved clones. They are blond oranges from the Navel group, recognizable by their navel-like indentation, with sweet and delicate flesh. The region—in Sicily—comprises 13 municipalities in the province of Agrigento and one in the province of Palermo, along the Verdura, Magazzolo, Platani, and Carboj rivers (Qualivita Foundation, n.d.-b).
Navelina oranges are harvested from early November through late February. Brasiliano and Washington Navel oranges are harvested from the first ten days of December through late May. After harvesting, the oranges not receive no chemical treatments or waxes and are washed only with drinking water. The peel can thus be used in cooking, for example to make candied fruit (Fondazione Qualivita, n.d.-b). The PDO designation is permitted only in the “Extra” and “Prima” commercial categories and includes 309 producers (Fondazione Qualivita, n.d.-b).
Gargano PGI Oranges, Orchards, and Late Harvests
TheGargano Orange PGI, registered in 2007, protects the Biondo Comune del Gargano and the local cultivar Duretta, also known as “arancia tosta.” The area includes Vico del Gargano, Ischitella, and Rodi Garganico, on the northern slope of the promontory. On sloping terrain, the orange groves are terraced using dry-stone walls or earthen embankments (Qualivita Foundation, n.d.-a).
The harvest schedule differs from that of all other Italian citrus-growing regions. The Duretta variety is harvested from December 1 to April 30, while the Biondo Comune variety is harvested from April 15 to the end of August. Thanks to their long shelf life, by the mid-19th century, oranges from the Gargano region were being shipped as far as New York and Chicago (Qualivita Foundation, n.d.-a).
Certified production, however, plummeted from 38,067 kilograms in 2019 to 5,128 in 2023, with 16 registered operators (Fondazione Qualivita, s.d.-a). These figures reflect certified production, not the size of the citrus groves or their historical significance.
Biodiversity Beyond Labels
In Basilicata TheStaccia orange It is grown in the valley bottoms of the Agri and Sinni rivers, between Tursi, Montalbano Jonico, Colobraro, Valsinni, and San Giorgio Lucano. The fruit is flattened at both ends and seedless; it weighs an average of 300 grams and can reach 800–900 grams. It ripens in March but remains on the tree through August. It was precisely its irregular size that excluded it from a market that favors uniform sizes. Since 2007, a local consortium has been seeking recognition for it as a PDO (Slow Food Foundation, n.d.).
In Sardinia, the orange groves of Milis, in the upper Oristano area, date back to the Camaldolese monks who settled in the village in the 13th century. In February, the town hosts a citrus festival. During World War II, the orange groves concealed a military airfield, which was therefore called “invisible” (Autonomous Region of Sardinia, n.d.).
Public research expands the plant variety pool. CREA, the Council for Agricultural Research and Analysis of Agricultural Economics, lists among the most widespread varieties in the new facilities the early-maturing Tarocco TDV and the Tarocco Lempso C5787, which has an intensely colored peel. This breeding work has extended the commercial season for blood oranges from December to May (Caruso et al., 2026). Crosses with the Tarocco have also produced mandarin-like citrus fruits such as the Tackle, which are distinct from oranges in the strict sense.
From Fresh Fruit to Processed Products
The product line includes fresh oranges, freshly squeezed juice, juice, jams, and candied fruit. In Sicilian cuisine, oranges are also used in savory dishes, such as theLentini Blood Orange Salad.
For manufacturers, raw materials often come from abroad. The GIFT comparison on 50 Freshly Squeezed Juices, Orange Juices, and Orange-Based Beverages In fact, it shows that the origin of the fruit in “Made in Italy” beverages is listed on only some of the labels.
Whole fruit also retains its fiber. The CREA guidelines specify that the satiating effect of fruits and vegetables applies to products consumed as they are, not to juices, extracts, and freshly squeezed juices, which often contain less fiber and do not require chewing (CREA, 2018).
The Value and Prospects of Italian Orange Cultivation
The data indicate two fragility. The first one is productive: Cultivated areas and yields are declining, while droughts and extreme weather events such as Cyclone Harry are increasing losses and sorting costs (ISTAT, 2026; Consortium for the Protection of Sicilian Red Oranges PGI, 2026). The second is commercial: Domestic consumption is declining, and imported navel and blonde oranges are taking up more and more shelf space (Fellin, 2026; MAECI, 2026).
The production of pigmented oranges highlights an advantage Italy holds that is difficult to replicate elsewhere, because the color depends on the cold climate of its growing regions (MAECI, 2026; Butelli et al., 2012). Designations can reinforce this advantage, but today they certify only about 2% of the harvest. For consumers, choosing theof Italian origin And following the seasonal availability of individual varieties supports this supply chain. This is especially true when the choice is directed toward the certified products organic, which always ensure that the peel is edible and meet the highest standards for the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity. For professional buyers, the key factors are consistent supply, traceability, a variety calendar, and specifications that align with the end use.
Dario Dongo
References
Statistical and Institutional Sources
Caruso, M., Cortese, M., Russo, R., & Arlotta, C. (May 30, 2026). New CREA/2 Varieties: Citrus Fruits. CREA Futuro. https://creafuturo.crea.gov.it/17216/
CREA, Food and Nutrition Research Center. (2018). Guidelines for Healthy Eating. 2018 Revision. https://www.crea.gov.it/web/alimenti-e-nutrizione/-/linee-guida-per-una-sana-alimentazione-2018
National Institute of Statistics [ISTAT]. (September 4, 2026). Agricultural and Livestock Production. Year 2025. Statistics in Focus. https://www.istat.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Focus_Produzioni-agricole-e-zootecniche_Anno-2025-rev-7-settembre.pdf
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation [MAECI], Economic Observatory. (April 2026). Italy's Trade in the Citrus Sector (Based on ISTAT data; 2025 figures are provisional). https://www.infomercatiesteri.it/public/osservatorio/interscambio-commerciale-settoriale/Interscambio_Agrumicolo_%2010_04_2026_1775820144.pdf
Autonomous Region of Sardinia. (n.d.). Milis. SardegnaTurismo. Accessed October 13, 2026. https://www.sardegnaturismo.it/it/esplora/milis
Geographical Indications and Biodiversity
Consortium for the Protection of the “Arancia Rossa di Sicilia” PGI. (July 21, 2026). 2025–26 Season: Sicilian “Arancia Rossa” PGI Exceeds 24 Million kg. https://www.tutelaaranciarossa.it/arancia-rossa-di-sicilia-igp-raccolto-2025-2026/
Qualivita Foundation. (n.d.-a). Gargano Orange PGI. Qualigeo. Consultato il 13 ottobre 2026. https://www.qualigeo.eu/prodotto-qualigeo/arancia-del-gargano-igp/
Fondazione Qualivita. (s.d.-b). Ribera Orange (PDO). Qualigeo. Consultato il 13 ottobre 2026. https://www.qualigeo.eu/prodotto-qualigeo/arancia-di-ribera-dop/
Fondazione Qualivita. (s.d.-c). Sicilian Red Orange (PGI). Qualigeo. Consultato il 13 ottobre 2026. https://www.qualigeo.eu/prodotto-qualigeo/arancia-rossa-di-sicilia-igp/
Fondazione Slow Food. (s.d.). Staccia orange. Arca del Gusto. Consultato il 13 ottobre 2026. https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/it/arca-del-gusto-slow-food/arancia-staccia/
Technical and Historical Sources
Butelli, E., Licciardello, C., Zhang, Y., Liu, J., Mackay, S., Bailey, P., Reforgiato-Recupero, G., & Martin, C. (2012). Retrotransposons control fruit-specific, cold-dependent accumulation of anthocyanins in blood oranges. The Plant Cell, 24(3), 1242–1255. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.111.095232
Trade Press
Fellin, V. (2026, 1 gennaio). Spremere il futuro: la sfida del valore oltre i volumi. Fresh Point Magazine. https://www.freshpointmagazine.it/en/spremere-il-futuro-la-sfida-del-valore-oltre-i-volumi/
Dario Dongo, avvocato e giornalista, PhD in diritto alimentare internazionale, fondatore di WIISE (FARE - GIFT – Food Times) ed Égalité.
