Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh citron (Citrus medica) in India is an underutilized niche citrus, with notable occurrence in the Eastern Himalayan/Northeast India belt where wild and domesticated trees are reported in forests and home gardens. In Assam, citron known locally as “Jora Tenga” is documented for peel-essential-oil uses and local culinary use of the peel. The market is primarily domestic and localized, with limited evidence of large-scale, organized export supply chains for fresh citron compared with India’s major citrus types. For any international trade into India, plant quarantine compliance is a primary market-access constraint for fresh citrus consignments.
Market RoleDomestic consumption market with localized production (niche citrus)
Domestic RoleLocalized fresh consumption and traditional medicinal/cultural use in Northeast India; peel/rind also used in local culinary practices (e.g., peel consumption in Assam).
SeasonalityNortheast India sources report citron fruiting through much of the year, with flowering commonly noted in spring; local availability varies by microclimate and locality.
Specification
Primary VarietyJora Tenga (Assam local citron; Citrus medica)
Secondary Variety- Bijora/Bijapura (regional Indian citron types referenced in Ayurveda and local trade names)
Physical Attributes- Aromatic peel/rind (noted in Northeast India citron references)
- Hard peel; fruit described as green turning yellow on ripening in Assam references
Compositional Metrics- Peel essential oil from Assam citron reported with D-limonene among common volatile components (research context)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Northeast India: home-garden and forest-adjacent citron harvest/collection supplying localized fresh use and peel/rind utilization
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighMarket access for fresh citron into India can be blocked or disrupted by non-compliance with India’s Plant Quarantine import framework (import permit/PRA pathways, phytosanitary certificate requirements, and any commodity-specific additional declarations/treatments). The Plant Quarantine Order also indicates that quarantine pest interception can lead to suspension until risk measures are reviewed.Confirm the exact regulated-article conditions for the citron/citrus pathway before contracting; align pre-shipment treatments and additional declarations on the Phytosanitary Certificate; use experienced Indian importer/CHA familiar with DPPQS plant quarantine and FSSAI single-window processes.
Phytosanitary MediumCitrus disease pressure in India (including Huanglongbing/citrus greening caused by 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' and citrus bacterial canker caused by Xanthomonas citri pathotypes) can reduce yield and marketability of citron, and can increase scrutiny on planting material and orchard health claims.For India-origin supply, prioritize orchards using disease-management programs and verified planting material; for import-to-India supply, ensure origin pest status documentation and treatments match India’s stated import conditions.
Sustainability MediumIn Northeast India, citron genetic resources include wild/semi-wild populations reported in forest habitats and home gardens; reported decline and habitat fragmentation increase the risk of unstable supply if procurement depends on unmanaged wild collection.Shift sourcing toward cultivated/home-garden supply networks with replanting support and on-farm conservation; avoid reliance on opportunistic wild harvesting as the primary procurement base.
Logistics MediumFresh citron is quality-sensitive to handling and clearance time; delays at ports (plant quarantine inspection and/or FSSAI referral workflows) can materially increase shrink and downgrade risk for a niche product with limited tolerance for variability.Use pre-arrival document checks, ensure labeling/packing lists match filings, choose entry points with established plant quarantine capacity, and build lead-time buffers in retailer/processor programs.
Sustainability- Conservation and genetic-resource risk: wild citron populations in Northeast India have been reported as declining and fragmented, creating potential long-term supply instability where sourcing relies on semi-wild stands.
FAQ
Which documents are commonly needed to import fresh citron into India?Fresh citron imports typically require plant quarantine compliance under India’s Plant Quarantine Order (commonly including an import permit pathway where applicable and an original Phytosanitary Certificate with required additional declarations/treatment endorsements). Imports may also be referred for FSSAI clearance via its Food Import Clearance System (FICS) integrated with Customs ICEGATE/SWIFT, alongside standard customs documents such as invoice, packing list, and Bill of Entry.
Where is citron in India most commonly associated with production or occurrence?Peer-reviewed studies and botanical distribution references document Citrus medica occurring in the Eastern Himalayan/Northeast India region, with Assam frequently cited; these populations include wild/semi-wild stands and domesticated trees in home gardens, supporting localized supply and landrace diversity.
What plant-health issues in India can disrupt citron supply or quality?Indian citrus literature documents destructive disease complexes including Huanglongbing (citrus greening) linked to 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' and citrus bacterial canker linked to Xanthomonas citri pathotypes. These can reduce yield and downgrade fresh-fruit marketability, increasing supply variability and compliance scrutiny for planting material and orchard health claims.