Top Tangerine and mandarin and clementines Producing Countries

China is by far the world’s leading producer of tangerines, mandarins, and clementines, accounting for over 60% of global production, followed by Spain, Turkey, and Morocco. These citrus fruits originated in Southeast Asia, with historical records of mandarins dating back to ancient China, where they were highly prized and selectively bred for sweetness and ease of peeling. Over centuries, mandarins spread westward along trade routes, reaching the Mediterranean region in the 19th century. Clementines, a hybrid between mandarins and sweet oranges, were first cultivated in Algeria in the early 20th century by Father Clément Rodier. Today, Mediterranean countries like Spain and Morocco are renowned for their high-quality clementines, while Turkey has become a significant exporter of mandarins. The global popularity of these fruits is due to their sweet flavor, easy-to-peel skin, and adaptability to subtropical and Mediterranean climates, making them a staple in fruit markets worldwide.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat