Mandarins: export, consumption, and demand in Ukraine and the world

Mandarins are the main attribute of the pre-New Year period, traditionally appearing on store shelves with the onset of cold weather. Therefore, 30% of annual imports fall precisely in December. How the consumption and demand for mandarins in Ukraine are changing will be told by UNN.

Mandarins are believed to originate from South Asia, specifically China, which still ranks first in fruit cultivation. However, Spain is considered the leader in exports, having surpassed China in 2022, with mandarins worth $1.54 billion grown (exports from China amounted to $726 million). And in 2023, the value of fruits exported by Spain reached $3.8 billion.

Turkey is one of the largest producers and main suppliers of citrus fruits to Central and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine. In Turkey, 2.8 million tons of mandarins were grown in the last season, which lasted from October to March, and exports reached $478 million.

Turkey does not have a very good reputation, despite the fact that citrus prices are significantly lower due to lower labor and cultivation costs, most scandals about pesticide use are associated with mandarins grown in Turkey.

Demand for citrus fruits in Ukraine grew every year until the start of the full-scale war. Of the 400 thousand tons of imported fruits in 2021, 43% (over 120 thousand tons worth almost $120 million) were mandarins. The main suppliers of citrus fruits to Ukraine are Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt. Mandarins imported from Greece, Spain, and Italy are also present on the shelves, but their prices are noticeably higher.

In general, the situation is the same every year: when the pre-New Year period arrives, the supply of mandarins increases, and prices gradually decrease.

Are mandarins healthy?

Mandarins contain a large amount of vitamin C and flavonoids. The fruit also contains soluble fiber, which has a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, mandarins contain calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins B, D, K, and phytoncides, which inhibit the growth or kill microscopic fungi and bacteria.

The peel is also useful due to essential oils and carotene. Potentially, beta-carotene can help in the fight against cancer.

How many mandarins can you eat in a day?

Despite their benefits, citrus fruits, including mandarins, can provoke allergic reactions. Therefore, it is important not to overeat - 4-5 small mandarins a day for adults, according to experts, is quite enough to get benefits and not harm your health.

It should be understood that a large number of mandarins can provoke an allergic reaction even in those who have not previously encountered it.

It should also be remembered that mandarins contain sugar, which is also important to remember.

Who should not eat mandarins?

Due to the risk of allergic reactions, mandarins, like other citrus fruits, are contraindicated for children under one year old. Diabetics and those with gastrointestinal problems should consume mandarins in small quantities. And those who are allergic to them should definitely exclude the fruit from their diet completely.

In addition, after consuming citrus fruits, due to their acid content, doctors advise brushing your teeth or at least rinsing your mouth, as acids negatively affect tooth enamel.