• Export volumes rose 22% to 3.05 million tons, exceeding 3 million for the first time.
• Favorable weather, new orchards, and stronger EU demand boosted performance.
• The industry faces U.S. tariffs and high input costs despite record shipments.

South Africa’s citrus industry exported 203.4 million cartons of fruit, equivalent to 3.05 million tons (15 kg per carton), during the 2025 marketing season, according to the Citrus Growers Association (CGA) in a statement issued on Monday, November 10.

The volume represents a 22% increase from the previous season and marks the first time exports have surpassed the symbolic 3 million-ton threshold. The record performance reflects higher export volumes across all fruit categories.

Oranges, mainly the Navel and Valencia varieties, led sales with 1.39 million tons shipped, accounting for about 45% of total exports, followed by mandarins (26.3%), lemons (20.3%), and grapefruit.

Favorable conditions

The CGA attributed the growth to favorable weather in key producing regions and the maturation of young orchards planted in recent years, which increased harvest and export potential. Rising global demand, particularly for oranges and lemons used in processing, and an early end to the northern hemisphere season also extended South Africa’s export window.

The industry also benefited from Egypt’s reduced competitiveness, its main rival in the European market. Egypt’s growing focus on processing led to lower export volumes and higher prices, prompting EU countries to increase imports of South African oranges by 46% (463,263 tons) while cutting Egyptian imports by 30%.

Improved port performance also played a crucial role. The state-owned logistics company Transnet invested in new equipment and introduced productivity incentives for staff, which boosted export efficiency. Collaboration between logistics operators and shipping companies has created a highly efficient logistics ecosystem, the CGA noted.

Trade challenges ahead

Despite these strong results, the sector faces structural challenges. The CGA cited high input costs, price volatility, and trade barriers as key risks to profitability. The association expressed concern about the 30% tariff imposed by the United States on South African citrus since August 2025, near the end of the season. While its impact was limited this year, it could be far more severe in 2026 if no agreement is reached.

“We remain very worried about the impact of the 30% tariff on the coming 2026 season. That is why a mutually beneficial trade deal between the United States and South Africa must be finalised urgently,” the statement said.

According to Trade Map data, the U.S. absorbed about 5% of South Africa’s citrus exports over the past five years. However, the tariff policy has dampened growth prospects in the world’s largest citrus import market.

The CGA aims to raise annual citrus exports to 260 million cartons, or 3.9 million tons, by 2032.