IN the 2025 export season, Southern African citrus growers packed 203.4 million 15kg cartons for delivery to global markets. This represents a significant 19% increase from the original estimate in April, which was 171.2 million cartons. It is a 22% increase from the packed for export figures in 2024, Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) said in a media statement on Monday.
According to Ntshabele, growth is being driven by a combination of favourable weather conditions in the growing regions and the many young trees that came into fruit this season.
He said additional unforeseen factors contributed to the record-breaking performance, including:
- Exceptional demand in overseas markets for processing-grade juicing oranges and juicing lemons.
- An early end to Northern hemisphere supply which drove strong demand and extended our supply window by adding important sales weeks at the beginning of the South African citrus season.
- Improved logistics efficiency, especially port efficiency, was achieved by Transnet, largely through investments in new equipment and the introduction of employee incentives linked to productivity. There was a high level of effective co-operation by all logistics players, including shipping lines, resulting in a productive logistics eco-system.
- Enhanced production efficiencies on farm level relating to water usage and pest management, as well as an increased proportion of hectares under nets, also contributed to exceptional pack-outs and fruit quality.
The 2025 citrus export volume is slightly ahead of the industry’s long-term projection model, but should be seen in the context of the Vision 260 growth strategy of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA). This strategy focuses on key deliverables across the entire supply and value chain that, if achieved, will enable the production and profitable exporting of 260 million cartons by 2032, thus creating an additional 100 000 jobs and contributing significant foreign currency earnings to the SA economy.
But such strong growth does not come without its challenges. “It must be noted that volume is just one single measure with which to assess an industry. Our growers continue to face challenges, including unpredictable price and market dynamics, rising input costs, as well as market access issues such as high tariffs and unscientific plant health measures,” said Dr Ntshabele.
The imposition of a 30% tariff by the United States on citrus from South Africa had a limited impact on the industry this season. This was because the tariffs came into effect towards the end of the local season.
Growers in the Western and Northern Cape – the only two provinces that export to the United States – were also able to increase and fast-track shipments to the US before the tariff deadline.
“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,” said Dr Ntshabele. He also said a tariff exemption for citrus, or all seasonal fresh produce, made sense, as the import of citrus sustains off-season consumption in the US and avoids unnecessary inflation. “As a relevant example, the United States already exempts Brazilian orange juice from tariffs,” he said.
“It is imperative that the government actively pursues improved market access in China, India, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and the United States. These markets represent real growth opportunities for South African citrus, which is globally recognised for its quality and taste,” said Gerrit van der Merwe, chairperson of the CGA.
The final packed figures for 2025 are as follows:
- 15.3 million cartons (15kg equivalent) of Grapefruit were packed for export, which was also the initial estimate in April. It is a 7% increase from the 2024 season.
- 53.5 million cartons of Mandarins were packed, representing a notable 28% increase from the previous season. It is a 19% increase from the original estimate in April.
- 41.3 million cartons of Lemons were packed. This is 26% more than the original estimate, and a 19% increase from the packed figures for 2024.
- Navel Oranges packed for export have shown a 25% increase from 2024. This year’s 31.5 million is a 21% increase from the original estimate for the season.
- A total of 61.8 million cartons of Valencia Oranges were packed this year. This is a notable increase from the 52 million estimated in April, and 2024’s 48.7 million cartons.
