Which one of the following regions is an important supplier of citrus fruits ?

The Mediterranean region is globally recognized as the primary supplier of citrus fruits, often referred to as the 'world's orchard lands' [3]. This region accounts for approximately 70% of the world's exports of citrus fruits and controls over 50% of the global trade in fresh citrus [1]. The specific climatic conditions, characterized by hot, sunny summers and mild, rainy winters, are ideal for ripening fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits [4]. The thick, leathery skin of these fruits is an evolutionary adaptation to prevent excessive transpiration during the long summer droughts typical of this climate [1]. While citrus is grown in tropical and subtropical zones, the Mediterranean basin remains the most significant commercial supplier due to its specialized orchard farming and strategic market position [4].

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Orchard Farming > p. 450
2. [3] FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Primary Activities > Mediterranean Agriculture > p. 31
3. [4] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 10: Locational Factors of Economic Activities > mediterranean type of agriculture > p. 17