As December approached and the New Year celebrations drew near, demand for tangerines surged, rising by 67 percent. The leaders among citrus were imported fruits from Türkiye, Morocco, and China, a pattern highlighted by a SberMarket study and summarized by socialbites.ca. The shift in preferences underscored how seasonal taste and gift-giving traditions influence fruit purchases across markets in Canada and the United States as well as in Russia, where seasonal citrus spikes are well documented.
The leafy tangerine emerged as the most sought-after variety, with interest up 162 percent versus the autumn period and a striking 248 percent compared with December of the previous year. Close behind were selected tangerines, which saw a 69 percent uptick in purchases. This reflects a broader consumer trend toward premium, visually appealing fruit that signals celebration and hospitality during the holiday season.
The research also shows a growing preference for orange and tangerine hybrid clementines, whose sales amplified by 50 times compared with autumn and tenfold versus last year. This surge points to consumer curiosity about new flavor profiles and easier peeling experiences, factors that often drive cross-border fruit choices in North American markets as well.
Among origins, Turkey supplied the strongest lift in December, accounting for a 55 percent rise in demand and representing about 13 percent of all tangerine sales for the month. Moroccan citrus placed second, with a notable sales jump of 159 percent around New Year’s Eve. Chinese tangerines ranked third, followed by South Africa in fourth and Abkhazia in fifth, illustrating a diverse sourcing pattern that Canadians and Americans may observe in premium fruit sections during the holiday rush.
Analysts note that the December surge in tangerine demand aligns with typical year-end shopping behavior and family gatherings, where citrus plays a central role on festive tables and as thoughtful seasonal gifts. The findings, attributed to the SberMarket study and reviewed by socialbites.ca, offer a lens into how consumers in different regions respond to citrus availability, price shifts, and marketing emphasis as the calendar turns.