South Africa citrus exports hit record but farmers fret over US tariffs
South African citrus exports surged 22% to record levels this year, driven by higher demand, favourable weather and new trees coming into production, a growers association said on Monday.
The record-breaking season was marked by demand in overseas markets for juicing oranges and lemons, the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA) added in a statement.
The world's second biggest citrus exporter after Spain shipped 203.4 million 15 kilogramme cartons of fruit in the season ending in October, compared to 165 million last year.
Europe is South Africa's biggest citrus market at about 36% of its total exports, followed by the Middle East at 19% and Asia at 15%. North America, Britain and Russia each took 9% of total shipments in 2024.
The CGA did not give a breakdown for 2025.
It said a premature end to northern hemisphere supply had driven demand and opened the supply window for South African citrus early this year, while improved logistics efficiency, especially at ports, had also boosted exports.
Although a 30% US tariff imposed on imports from South Africa had a limited effect because it came into effect towards the end of the export season, farmers are concerned about 2026.
"We remain very worried about the impact of the 30% tariff on the coming 2026 season," said CGA CEO Boitshoko Ntshabele, adding: "That is why a mutually beneficial trade deal between the United States and South Africa must be finalised urgently".
South Africa ships between 5%-6% of its citrus to the US, earning more than $100 million annually.
The CGA has warned Washington's tariffs put as many as 35,000 jobs at risk in citrus growing regions in the Northern and Western Cape provinces, which export exclusively to the US
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