South Africa’s citrus industry has achieved a remarkable milestone in 2025, packing 203.4 million 15kg cartons for global export markets – a performance that significantly exceeded all expectations and underscores the sector’s robust growth trajectory.

By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming

The final export figures represent a substantial 19% increase from the industry’s original April estimate of 171.2 million cartons and a 22% jump from 2024’s packed volumes, marking one of the most successful seasons in the industry’s history.

Also read: SA citrus exports hit record 203 million cartons – now industry eyes 100 000 new jobs

Dr. Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA), attributed the exceptional performance to a combination of planned improvements and unexpected market opportunities.

Driving Forces Behind Record Growth

Ntshabele said the surge in export volumes stems from several key factors, beginning with favorable weather conditions across South Africa’s growing regions and the maturation of numerous young citrus trees that came into production this season.

However, he says several unforeseen developments contributed significantly to the record-breaking performance, that includes:

Exceptional overseas demand for processing-grade juicing oranges and lemons created unexpected market opportunities
Extended supply window due to an early end to Northern Hemisphere citrus supply, which drove strong demand and added crucial sales weeks at the beginning of South Africa’s export season
Dramatically improved logistics efficiency, particularly at ports, achieved through Transnet’s investments in new equipment and productivity-linked employee incentives
Enhanced on-farm production efficiencies including optimized water usage, improved pest management, and an increased proportion of hectares under protective nets

“The high level of effective cooperation by all logistics players, including shipping lines, resulted in a productive logistics ecosystem that enabled us to capitalise on these market opportunities,” explained Dr. Ntshabele.

Vision 260 Strategy Shows Promise

The 2025 results position the industry slightly ahead of its long-term projection model and demonstrate meaningful progress toward the CGA’s ambitious Vision 260 growth strategy. This comprehensive plan aims to enable production and profitable export of 260 million cartons by 2032, potentially creating an additional 100 000 jobs and generating significant foreign currency earnings for South Africa’s economy.

Also read: Million-rand deals await, but only prepared citrus farmers will win – CGA CEO

However, Dr. Ntshabele cautioned that volume alone doesn’t tell the complete industry story. “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,” Dr. Ntshabele explained.

US Tariff Impact and Future Concerns

The United States’ imposition of a 30% tariff on South African citrus had limited impact on the 2025 season, primarily because the tariffs took effect toward the end of the local export period. Growers in the Western and Northern Cape, the only provinces that export to the US market, successfully increased and fast-tracked shipments 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,” Dr. Ntshabele stated.

Also read: ‘One of the jewels in our agricultural economy’ – Steenhuisen on citrus industry

He advocated for a tariff exemption for citrus or all seasonal fresh produce, noting that citrus imports sustain off-season consumption in the US while avoiding unnecessary inflation. “As a relevant example, the United States already exempts Brazilian orange juice from tariffs,” Dr. Ntshabele added.

Market Access Opportunities

Gerrit van der Merwe, Chairperson of the CGA, emphasized the importance of expanding market access: “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 recognized for its quality and taste.”

Detailed Export Performance by Variety

The 2025 season delivered strong growth across all major citrus varieties:

Grapefruit: 15.3 million cartons packed, meeting the original April estimate and representing a 7% increase from 2024.
Mandarins: 53.5 million cartons packed, showing the strongest growth with a 28% increase from the previous season and a 19% increase from the original April estimate.
Lemons: 41.3 million cartons packed, exceeding the original estimate by 26% and growing 19% compared to 2024 figures.
Navel oranges: 31.5 million cartons packed, representing a 25% increase from 2024 and a 21% increase from the seasonal estimate.
Valencia oranges: 61.8 million cartons packed, substantially exceeding the April estimate of 52 million cartons and surpassing 2024’s 48.7 million cartons.