SA citrus growers said recent flooding in the Eastern and Western Cape was a significant blow to the current export season.
- SA exported nearly 3 million tonnes of citrus last year, overtaking Spain as the world's biggest exporter by volume.
- However, Citrus Growers Association CEO Boitshoko Ntsebele said the industry still faces market access issues due to high tariffs, phytosanitary requirements and the impact of conflict in the Middle East.
- Recent extreme weather conditions and flooding in the Western and Eastern Cape amid global trade uncertainty have also been a blow to the industry.
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SA overtook Spain as the world's largest exporter of citrus by volume during the 2025 season, according to data provided by the Citrus Growers Association (CGA).
While Spain was forced to deal with challenging climate and production conditions last year, SA's citrus farmers exported 2.9 million tonnes of their produce globally, the association said in a statement this week.
SA is generally the largest exporter of citrus in the Southern Hemisphere, while the Northern Hemisphere title is held by Spain. However, SA is not on the list of the world's largest citrus producers, which includes China, Brazil and Spain.
Despite the increase in exports, CGA CEO Boitshoko Ntshabele said the industry still faces challenges in the current export season. These include conflicts in the Middle East and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have affected global trade patterns.
Growers expect to export a record 210 million to 215 million 15-kilogram cartons of oranges, lemons, mandarins and grapefruit this year. The export season usually runs between April and October.
“Currently, the impact of the Middle East situation on fuel costs and shipping routes is a concern that is putting significant pressure on producer margins. Producers also face unpredictable prices and market dynamics, rising input costs as well as market access issues such as high tariffs and unscientific plant health measures,” he said in the statement.
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The association also continued to call on the government to increase access to markets such as the European Union (EU), the US, India and China to improve margins for producers.
Last year, the US imposed a 30% tariff on all SA imports, including citrus, which previously faced zero tariffs under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
While the tariffs were eventually suspended and some citrus products like oranges were exempted, US President Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all US imports in February this year. The 10% tariff is expected to expire in July 2026.
Meanwhile, SA and the EU – which is SA's largest export market for citrus – have both been involved in a protracted dispute over phytosanitary requirements for citrus exports against false codling moth and citrus black spot. The requirements have forced citrus growers to pay an additional R3.7 billion per year to meet them.
However, there is evidence of greater market access for citrus exports this year. In aprilChina said it would introduce new rules for fruit exports, allowing the Asian country to ease its stringent cold-temperature requirements for SA's citrus exports, with exports also expected to benefit from a zero-tariff regime.
China imported R2.1 billion worth of citrus from SA last year – SA represents about one-third of its citrus imports.
severe weather
The Citrus Association also said recent heavy rains and flooding in the Eastern and Western Cape are likely to cause losses to citrus growers during the current export season, with farmers having damaged infrastructure and uprooted trees.
Initial estimates from the CGA showed that 10% to 12% of the Gamtus Valley crop in the Eastern Cape had been affected by the severe weather conditions. Areas such as Citrusdal in the Western Cape are also expected to experience the highest flood levels ever recorded. However, the association said key infrastructure on main routes is largely operational.
Ntshabele said the events were a significant blow to the industry, which is already struggling with global trade uncertainty.
He said in a statement: “The disruption caused by flooding in the two provinces is expected to be felt most acutely in the soft citrus category, as early harvest of mandarins intensified when the rains arrived.”
He added: “These developments come at a challenging time for producers, who are already facing soft demand in the key export market of the Middle East, as well as rising input and logistics costs. What was shaping up to be a strong season now requires a high level of adaptability and response.”