How to Grow Citrus
Citrus (Citrus spp.) is a fruit crop that yields 10–50 tonnes per hectare and takes 3–5 years to first commercial crop; productive 20–30 years to harvest. It grows best in deep, well-drained sandy loam, pH 6.0–7.5; avoid salinity; excellent internal drainage, needs 900–1,200 mm of water, and is widely grown in Georgia (Adjara), Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco. The current average farm-gate price on GeraFarm is about $0.55 per kg.
Yield / hectare
10–50 tonnes
Time to harvest
3–5 years to first commercial crop; productive 20–30 years
Avg. price
$0.55/kg
Top regions
Georgia (Adjara), Nigeria
About Citrus
Georgia's Adjara region produces subtropical citrus (mandarins, lemons) in a unique climate pocket. Nigeria and Ghana produce citrus for regional markets. GeraFarm connects growers with export buyers and processors.
Citrus growing facts
- Scientific name
- Citrus spp.
- Category
- Fruit
- Yield per hectare
- 10–50 tonnes
- Time to harvest
- 3–5 years to first commercial crop; productive 20–30 years
- Growing season
- Perennial; harvest October–March (Georgia); year-round (tropics)
- Avg. farm-gate price
- $0.55 / kg
- Soil requirements
- Deep, well-drained sandy loam, pH 6.0–7.5; avoid salinity; excellent internal drainage
- Water requirements
- 900–1,200 mm; drip irrigation preferred for precise management
How to grow citrus, step by step
- 1
Prepare soil to the crop’s needs
Test and prepare your soil to match citrus's requirement: Deep, well-drained sandy loam, pH 6.0–7.5; avoid salinity; excellent internal drainage. Correct pH and add organic matter before planting.
- 2
Plant in the right window
Plant during the recommended season: Perennial; harvest October–March (Georgia); year-round (tropics). Use certified seed or healthy planting material to avoid carrying over disease.
- 3
Irrigate to target
Supply 900–1,200 mm; drip irrigation preferred for precise management. Even, well-timed moisture during the critical growth stages drives yield and quality.
- 4
Scout and protect against disease
Watch for Citrus greening (HLB) and Citrus canker. Rotate crops, keep good spacing for airflow, and act early — AI disease-scan apps can warn you days before damage is visible.
- 5
Harvest at the right time
Harvest after 3–5 years to first commercial crop; productive 20–30 years. Handle gently and cool quickly to cut post-harvest losses, which can otherwise reach 20–40%.
- 6
Sell direct for a better price
List your citrus free on GeraFarm, set your own price, and sell direct to verified buyers — keeping the margin a broker would otherwise take.
Diseases & pests to watch for
- Citrus greening (HLB)
- Citrus canker
- Brown rot (Phytophthora)
- Mediterranean fruit fly
- Asian citrus psyllid
Smart-farming tips for citrus
- HLB early detection AI (leaf yellow asymmetric pattern recognition) identifies suspect trees 6–9 months before symptoms are clear
- Frost-risk warming models (microclimate AI) protect Adjara citrus from occasional cold snaps
- GPS-mapped varietal performance data identifies Clementine vs Navel optimal planting zones
- Cold storage humidity management AI extends shelf-life from 3 to 8 weeks for export
- Georgia Adjara mandarins have artisan-market appeal; provenance story via GeraFarm unlocks premium pricing
Get citrus price alerts & growing tips
Seasonal citrus price updates, planting reminders and disease alerts, plus when to sell for the best price — straight to your inbox. Free.
Growing citrus — frequently asked questions
- How much citrus can you grow per hectare?
- A well-managed citrus crop yields 10–50 tonnes per hectare. Actual yield depends on variety, soil fertility, irrigation, and disease pressure — Georgia (Adjara), Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, Egypt are among the leading growing regions. On GeraFarm, growers selling direct typically earn 40–60% more than through traditional middlemen.
- When is the citrus growing season and how long until harvest?
- Citrus is typically planted in: Perennial; harvest October–March (Georgia); year-round (tropics). It takes 3–5 years to first commercial crop; productive 20–30 years to reach harvest. Timing your planting to local conditions is the single biggest factor in yield.
- What soil and water does citrus need?
- Citrus prefers Deep, well-drained sandy loam, pH 6.0–7.5; avoid salinity; excellent internal drainage. Water requirement: 900–1,200 mm; drip irrigation preferred for precise management. Matching soil and irrigation to these needs is essential for a healthy citrus crop.
- What are the main diseases and pests that affect citrus?
- The most common threats to citrus are Citrus greening (HLB), Citrus canker, Brown rot (Phytophthora). Crop rotation, certified seed or planting material, good spacing for airflow, and early scouting are the most reliable defences. AI disease-scan tools can flag many of these before they spread visibly.
- Is citrus farming profitable?
- Citrus sells for around $0.55 per kg at farm gate, and a hectare can yield 10–50 tonnes. Profitability hinges on yield, input costs, post-harvest losses, and the price you can negotiate — selling direct to buyers on GeraFarm removes the broker margin that usually takes 40–60% of the gap between farm-gate and retail price.
- Where can I sell citrus after harvest?
- You can list citrus free on GeraFarm and reach verified buyers — restaurants, wholesalers, processors and exporters — in 50+ countries. There are no listing fees, only a small commission on completed sales, and you set your own price in your local currency.