• South Africa exported 463,263 tons of oranges to the EU, up 46% year-on-year

• Egypt’s shipments fell 30% amid weaker harvests and heat stress

• EU cold treatment rules continue to raise costs for South African exporters

South Africa has regained its leading position as the top supplier of oranges to the European Union during the 2024/2025 marketing year, according to Eurostat data. The country shipped 463,263 tons of oranges to the EU, 46% more than the 317,136 tons in the previous season and 20% above the five-year average of 386,934 tons.

This performance allowed the country to reclaim the lead from Egypt, which had held the top spot over the past two years. The shift comes as Egypt’s citrus industry faces a difficult season.

Eurostat data show that Egypt’s orange exports to the EU declined by 30% year-on-year to 345,054 tons in 2024/2025, slightly above the five-year average of 343,880 tons. While Eurostat did not detail the reasons for the drop, poor harvests appear to be the main cause.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Egypt’s orange production fell by 12% due to prolonged high temperatures during the fruit-setting stage, which affected yields. The USDA forecasted orange exports to decrease by 15% because of reduced output during the 2024/2025 marketing year.

In contrast, South Africa’s orange production remained steady, and the strong export performance underscores the industry’s resilience despite higher compliance costs. Since July 2022, the EU has required all citrus from South Africa to undergo cold treatment between 0°C and -1°C for 16 to 25 days before importation. These procedures, conducted locally, have increased costs related to storage and technology upgrades.

The South African government has launched a dispute with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to challenge this regulation. In the meantime, the key challenge for South Africa’s citrus sector will be to maintain its leadership in the European market despite these trade constraints.