John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture, delivered a passionate address to citrus growers at the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa’s Citrus Growers’ Development Chamber (CGDC) Grower Indaba held at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg last week, outlining an ambitious vision for the industry’s future while acknowledging the significant challenges ahead.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture, delivered a passionate address to citrus growers at the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa’s Citrus Growers’ Development Chamber (CGDC) Grower Indaba held at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg last week, outlining an ambitious vision for the industry’s future while acknowledging the significant challenges ahead.
Speaking to industry leaders and growers, Steenhuisen emphasised the sector’s critical importance to South Africa’s economy. “The citrus industry, as I’m sure you will agree, is one of the jewels in our agricultural economy. It employs more than 140 000 people directly, supports countless rural households and contributes to billions of rands in export earnings each year,” he told the gathering.
The Minister highlighted South Africa’s global standing, noting that “South Africa has rightly earned its place as the world’s second-largest exporter of citrus with our oranges, our mandarins, our lemons and grapefruit enjoyed in households all across the globe”.
For Steenhuisen, the industry represents more than just economic statistics. “It’s about dignity and livelihoods for rural workers. It’s opportunities for smallholders to integrate into the global market and the ability of agriculture to anchor sustainable growth in an economy that desperately needs us,” he explained.
Also read: News from the CGDC Grower Indaba – ‘Citrus industry showed transformation not just possible, but profitable and sustainable’
Confronting Daily Biosecurity Threats
The Minister did not shy away from addressing the serious challenges facing the industry. On biosecurity, he warned that “South Africa’s citrus sector has earned its global reputation partly because of the high phytosanitary standards we maintain. But this success is constantly under threat, under threat from biosecurity threats such as citrus black spot, false codling moth and greening disease pests – diseases that can devastate orchards and close export doors overnight if left unchecked.”
He emphasised that protecting the industry requires sustained effort. “Biosecurity cannot just be a once-off effort … but needs to become a daily discipline. It requires scientific-based responses, from investments in diagnostic laboratories, surveillance systems and early warning networks to sustained cooperation between farmers, scientists and regulators.”
Market Access Becoming Increasingly Difficult
Steenhuisen expressed concern about growing trade barriers affecting South African exports. “Access to these markets is becoming increasingly difficult. In the European Union, which remains one of our largest citrus buyers, stricter phytosanitary rules … have increased costs for growers and risk shipment delays,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted broader protectionist trends, noting the “rising protectionism burden, which means more tariffs, quotas and technical barriers to trade … serve to erode our competitiveness against producers in countries with preferential trade agreements or less stringent import requirements”.
Also read: Citrus growers appeal to Ramaphosa for urgent US trade intervention
Climate Change No Longer Abstract
On environmental challenges, the Minister was direct about the immediate risks facing producers. “Climate change is another risk, and it’s one that is no longer abstract. It is really reshaping the production environment for our citrus farmers. Erratic rainfall patterns, droughts, strained water supplies and floods … higher temperatures that increase evaporation losses and place stress on trees…”
He warned that “without systemic support to improve water governance and accelerate climate-smart practices, the long-term sustainability of production will remain at risk”.
Addressing Inequality In The Value Chain
A significant portion of Steenhuisen’s address focused on transformation and inclusion within the industry. He acknowledged that “too many smallholder farmers and emerging farmers remain on the margins of the citrus value chain… This uneven participation obviously undermines the long-term sustainability of the industry.”
The Minister identified infrastructure as a key barrier, explaining that “packhouses, cold storage and logistic facilities are owned by large commercial players, meaning smallholders must often rely on costly intermediaries”.
Steenhuisen was emphatic about the need for meaningful change. “Transformation cannot just be a slogan, it must be baked into what we do and backed by resources and practical pathways into the value chain,” he declared.
He outlined specific goals, including “scaling up support for emerging farmers, expanding mentorship and financing schemes with measurable targets for hectares under production, packhouse access and export readiness”.
The Minister clarified his vision of inclusion: “Radically inclusive growth doesn’t mean lowering standards. It means raising the capacity of all participants, large and small, to meet the global benchmarks and share equity in gains.”
Also read: Ambitious vision to transform citrus industry through new funding initiative unveiled
Government’s Three-pronged Support Strategy
Steenhuisen outlined government’s commitment to the sector. “As government, we are committed to providing an enabling environment. Let me highlight three key areas where we see we can provide support. First is on infrastructure and logistics… Secondly, market access… Thirdly, support for smallholder participation.”
However, he emphasised that success requires collaboration. “The reality is that government cannot do what needs to be done on our own. The success of the citrus industry always rests on the partnership between growers, exporters, scientists and the state.”
The Minister drew inspiration from international examples, particularly Morocco, where “government and the private sector joined forces” to achieve remarkable results. He also praised local initiatives, highlighting that “Citrus Research International … has built world-class systems of phytosanitary capacity to grow the industry”.
Steenhuisen painted a compelling picture of what the industry could become. “Imagine a citrus industry where smallholder farmers, through cooperatives and shared packhouse facilities, are regular exporters. Women and youth entrepreneurs manage logistics, branding and processing…”
He called this “a vision that we need to build together, a citrus industry that is globally competitive and locally empowering”.
The Minister emphasised the transformative potential of including more farmers. “Unlocking the potential of smallholder and emerging farmers by giving them access to land, water, finance, training and markets not only grows production but also spreads the benefits of the industry broadly across many communities.”
Also read: One million cartons for export: Limpopo citrus farm reaches major milestone
‘Our Greatest Chapter Is Still Ahead’
Concluding on an optimistic note, Steenhuisen expressed confidence in the industry’s future potential. “Our greatest chapter is still ahead of us, and by harnessing the combined power of government support and public-private partnership, we can build an industry that is not only globally competitive but also inclusive, and plays its role in lifting communities, creating jobs and securing a thriving agricultural future.”
He ended with a rallying call for collaboration. “[By] putting our best efforts on the table [and] pooling resources, we will be able to grow this industry and grow South Africa beyond even our wildest expectations.”
The Minister’s address reflected both the challenges and enormous potential within South Africa’s citrus sector, emphasising that success requires sustained partnership between government and industry to build a more inclusive and globally competitive agricultural future.
