Citrus growers in South Africa are celebrating a landmark export season, packing more fruit than ever before.
This is in spite of trade restrictions in key markets like the European Union (EU) and the United States, which continue to test the industry’s resilience.
According to the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA), local producers have packed 200.9 million cartons for export this season, far exceeding the initial forecast of 171 million and last year’s total of 164.6 million.
Of these, 193.2 million cartons have already been shipped – a milestone that cements this year as South Africa’s best citrus export campaign on record, writes Fruitnet.
The achievement is particularly remarkable given the industry’s decision to end shipments to the EU early to avoid interceptions related to Citrus Black Spot (CBS), a fungal disease closely monitored by European regulators.
Staring down US tariffs
At the same time, exports to the United States were cut short due to 30% tariffs introduced during the Trump administration, which continue to limit market opportunities.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) officially expired last week, bringing to an end a 25-year trade lifeline for South Africa and several of its key industries.
Enacted in May 2000, the Act allowed roughly 17% of South African exports to the US to enter duty-free, supporting sectors from agriculture to manufacturing.
It has generally been accepted that Trump’s new tariffs will limit citrus export opportunities.
New markets
Despite these challenges, South African growers have successfully diverted fruit to alternative markets.
Producers in CBS-free zones such as the Western and Northern Cape have increased supply to Europe, while others have boosted shipments to Russia, where demand for South African produce – including citrus, plums, grapes, and pears – has steadily grown despite global trade disruptions.
This year’s record performance has already outpaced the citrus industry’s Vision 260 growth forecast, which had predicted 181.9 million cartons for 2024.
With the next harvest season still months away, attention is turning to the future. Many in the sector hope the US will reconsider its tariffs, reopening a lucrative market worth more than 100 tonnes of citrus to South African exporters.
If not, the industry will once again need to find creative ways to keep the momentum – and the fruit – growing.
