Top 10 Widest Citrus Orchards

#1: United States – California and Florida Belt (Over 750,000 acres)

The United States is a citrus powerhouse, and its two great regions—California and Florida—form the largest continuous citrus belt on Earth. Spanning more than 750,000 acres, these groves produce oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and mandarins that feed both domestic and global markets. California’s Central Valley, with its perfect combination of hot days and cool nights, is famed for sweet, seedless navel oranges. Meanwhile, Florida’s subtropical humidity gives rise to juicy Valencias prized for orange juice. Citrus cultivation here is steeped in history: Spanish explorers brought orange trees to Florida in the 1500s, while the California Gold Rush of the 1800s sparked a boom in fruit farming. Hidden within this landscape are ghost towns that once revolved entirely around citrus packinghouses. In Riverside, California, the first navel orange tree—imported from Brazil in 1873—still stands as a living monument, protected by an iron fence. Beyond their economic power, these orchards have become cultural icons, inspiring everything from roadside orange stands to the naming of entire counties. But the story isn’t without challenges—disease outbreaks like citrus greening have tested farmers’ resilience. Still, innovation and tradition coexist here, ensuring America’s citrus belt remains as golden as ever.

#2: Brazil – São Paulo and Bahia Regions (Over 640,000 acres)

Brazil stands as the world’s leading orange juice exporter, and its citrus orchards in São Paulo and Bahia stretch across more than 640,000 acres. These plantations are a sea of emerald leaves under a tropical sun, where mechanized harvesters move like insects through endless rows. São Paulo alone produces more than half of all global orange juice concentrate. The history of citrus here began with Portuguese colonists in the 16th century, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that Brazil became the juggernaut it is today. Anecdotes tell of early farmers transporting oranges by mule over mountain passes before railroads opened the global market. Hidden within these groves are entire ecosystems—orchard owners have begun integrating bee habitats and shade trees to promote biodiversity. Brazilian researchers have also pioneered disease-resistant orange varieties to combat “greening,” ensuring sustainability in a warming climate. In Bahia, the landscape is more artisanal—small family plots produce intensely flavorful fruit, often used in traditional sweets and liqueurs. At sunrise, the air is thick with the perfume of orange blossoms, and local legends say their scent brings good fortune for love and travel.

#3: China – Guangxi and Hunan Provinces (Over 580,000 acres)

China’s citrus orchards span over 580,000 acres, particularly in the subtropical Guangxi and Hunan provinces. Mandarin oranges, pomelos, and tangerines dominate the groves, forming a cornerstone of China’s agricultural pride. The tradition of citrus cultivation here stretches back more than 2,000 years—ancient texts from the Han dynasty describe the fruit as a royal delicacy. Today, the city of Guilin is famous for its lush citrus valleys set against karst limestone hills, creating a landscape as scenic as it is productive. During harvest season, the countryside glows orange under the winter sun, and families gather for festivals celebrating abundance. Hidden within these groves are age-old techniques still used today: farmers hand-prune each tree and use natural composts of rice husks and tea leaves to enrich the soil. In Hunan, markets bustle with vendors selling “honey mandarins,” a variety known for its sweetness and thin skin. Interestingly, mandarins are deeply symbolic in Chinese culture, representing good fortune and prosperity—hence their prominence during Lunar New Year celebrations. These orchards, ancient and modern, are living bridges between tradition and progress.

#4: Spain – Valencia and Andalusia (Over 470,000 acres)

Spain’s sun-soaked Mediterranean coast is synonymous with citrus, particularly the Valencia region, which gives its name to one of the world’s most popular orange varieties. Covering around 470,000 acres, Spain’s citrus orchards stretch across rolling plains and terraced hillsides, where Moorish irrigation systems still channel water from ancient aqueducts. The Arabs first introduced citrus to Spain over a thousand years ago, and it quickly became an emblem of Andalusian prosperity. Today, Spain is Europe’s leading citrus exporter, sending fragrant oranges, lemons, and clementines across the continent. The Valencian countryside bursts with color every spring when orange blossoms—called azahar—fill the air with a heady perfume so strong it’s used in local perfumes and festivals. Hidden gems include traditional huertas, small family orchards that have survived urban expansion. Anecdotes from old farmers tell of nights when the scent of citrus was so thick that “you could taste sweetness in the air.” In Seville, the bitter oranges that line city streets are harvested for British marmalade, linking two continents through centuries-old trade.

#5: India – Maharashtra and Punjab (Over 410,000 acres)

India’s citrus production spans a remarkable range of climates, from the hot plains of Maharashtra to the temperate foothills of Punjab, covering more than 410,000 acres. Nagpur, known as the “Orange City,” produces the famed Nagpur mandarin—a fruit so juicy and aromatic that it’s become India’s national symbol of citrus excellence. The region’s volcanic black soil and dry winters create ideal conditions for flavorful fruit. Citrus cultivation in India traces back to the Mughal era, when royal gardens featured ornamental orange trees and lemon groves. Even today, some estates in northern India still maintain those historic orchards. Hidden among them are age-old baolis—stepwells used for irrigation long before modern systems existed. In Punjab, citrus has brought prosperity to farming communities, with cooperatives running modern juice and processing plants. Festivals like the Orange City Fair in Nagpur celebrate the harvest with parades, music, and contests for the biggest fruit. India’s orchards are a sensory experience—rows of trees glowing under the sun, children playing among the fruit, and air rich with a fragrance that seems almost holy.

#6: Mexico – Veracruz and Tamaulipas (Over 360,000 acres)

Mexico’s citrus heartland lies in Veracruz and Tamaulipas, where more than 360,000 acres of orchards thrive under tropical rains and Gulf breezes. The Veracruz orange is iconic—sweet, slightly tangy, and beloved by juice producers worldwide. Spanish conquistadors first planted citrus here in the 1500s, and by the 18th century, it had become a major export crop. Today, family-owned orchards coexist with large commercial plantations, and citrus fairs light up local towns every harvest season. Hidden stories abound—such as that of Veracruz fishermen who carried oranges at sea to prevent scurvy, a practice that saved countless lives. The region’s small towns are dotted with juice stands and open-air markets where locals sell fresh-squeezed naranja under colorful awnings. Tamaulipas, farther north, is gaining fame for organic citrus, a growing niche industry. These orchards represent a blend of heritage and innovation—a place where tropical abundance meets centuries of cultivation.

#7: Italy – Sicily and Calabria (Over 250,000 acres)

Italy’s citrus tradition is as old as its art. Sicily and Calabria together boast over 250,000 acres of orchards, producing some of the most distinctive citrus on Earth. The volcanic soil around Mount Etna gives Sicilian blood oranges their deep crimson hue and intense flavor—a combination of mineral-rich earth and Mediterranean sun. The ancient Romans cultivated citrus as symbols of luxury, while Arab traders in the 9th century perfected irrigation techniques that still feed groves today. In coastal Calabria, bergamot oranges are prized not for eating but for their essential oils—used in fine perfumes like Chanel No. 5. Visitors can wander through groves where farmers still handpick fruit with woven baskets, just as their ancestors did. Hidden villages host festivals each spring celebrating arancia rossa, complete with citrus-themed floats and sweets. The scent of lemon blossoms drifting through Sicilian air is more than agricultural—it’s cultural poetry.

#8: Egypt – Nile Delta (Over 210,000 acres)

Egypt’s fertile Nile Delta, nourished by millennia of flooding and irrigation, supports over 210,000 acres of citrus groves. Egypt ranks among the world’s largest orange exporters, with vast farms producing varieties like Baladi and Valencia. The delta’s mild winters and long summers create perfect growing conditions. Citrus here dates back to ancient times—archaeologists have discovered wall paintings depicting oranges in tombs. Modern Egypt’s orchards, however, are feats of precision agriculture, with laser-leveled fields and computer-controlled irrigation. Yet traditional charm remains: local farmers still prune by hand and rely on the rhythms of the river. Hidden gems include small villages where visitors can join harvest celebrations, sipping fresh orange juice beneath palm trees. The citrus bloom season in the Delta transforms the air itself, filling it with perfume that mingles with the scent of the Nile.

#9: Turkey – Adana and Antalya (Over 190,000 acres)

Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, stretching from Adana to Antalya, is home to more than 190,000 acres of citrus orchards that benefit from the region’s abundant sunshine and sea breezes. These groves produce sweet oranges, lemons, and mandarins that dominate Middle Eastern markets. Citrus arrived in Anatolia through ancient Phoenician traders, later flourishing under Ottoman care. Even today, old Ottoman estates preserve 19th-century irrigation channels lined with stone. In modern times, Turkey’s farmers have combined heritage with technology, introducing organic and export-certified varieties. Hidden among the groves are boutique orchards offering agrotourism experiences where visitors can pick their own fruit. The city of Adana hosts an annual Citrus Festival featuring parades, sculptures made entirely of fruit, and performances celebrating the orange as a national treasure. Under the Turkish sun, the orchards shine like gold.

#10: South Africa – Limpopo and Eastern Cape (Over 160,000 acres)

South Africa’s citrus orchards, spanning over 160,000 acres, are among the southernmost on Earth. The Limpopo and Eastern Cape provinces lead production, exporting oranges and lemons to Europe and Asia during the northern off-season. Citrus arrived with Dutch settlers in the 17th century, and by the 1800s, vast estates were established along rivers and fertile valleys. The Sundays River Valley is especially famous—a landscape of green fields bordered by desert hills. Hidden within these groves are family-run farms dating back five generations, many of which now focus on sustainability and eco-tourism. Visitors can stay in restored colonial lodges and walk among the trees as sunlight filters through thick canopies of leaves and fruit. South Africa’s citrus industry represents both tradition and innovation, blending historical roots with modern stewardship of land and water.

Conclusion

From California’s golden groves to Sicily’s volcanic slopes, citrus orchards are a living celebration of the Earth’s abundance. They embody centuries of cultural exchange, scientific progress, and human artistry. Each orchard tells a story—of climate, history, and taste—woven together by the universal joy of fruit. Their blossoms perfume the world, their harvests unite continents, and their golden hues forever symbolize warmth, health, and hope.