By Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa

Tomorrow, Friday 21 November, the Vietnam-South Africa Business Forum will convene in Sandton, Johannesburg. This coincides with a visit from the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chihn, who will attend the G20. It also comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to Vietnam last month. With trade between the two countries currently in the news, one sector that stands out for its sheer potential is the citrus industry.

Last year, just before the start of the 2024 citrus season, the Department of Agriculture and the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) announced a new bilateral protocol that opened the Vietnamese market to South African oranges. This was a historic moment. The 2024 orange exports from South Africa to Vietnam totalled over 53 311 15kg cartons. This past season that amount grew remarkably, bringing the total cartons exported to Vietnam in the 2025 season to 209 569 15kg cartons.

Also read: SA citrus industry celebrates US tariff relief on oranges

Asian Markets Present Enormous Growth Potential

This growth exemplifies the immense opportunity that not just Vietnam, but many other Asian nations hold for South African citrus growers. Apart from Vietnam, countries Japan, South-Korea, India and China hold much promise.

Southern Africa shipped over 203 million cartons worldwide – a new record. South Africa accounted for approximately 193 million of these cartons, once again reinforcing its position as the world’s second-largest citrus exporter. This year’s harvest was nothing short of remarkable.

Citrus exports inject billions into South Africa’s economy, driving foreign revenue earnings and sustaining rural development. More market access means more local jobs in citrus towns like Addo, Patensie, Groblersdal, Letsitele and Citrusdal.

Vietnam’s economy is booming, and with it a growing middle class hungry for fresh, high-quality produce. South African oranges tick every box. They are sweet, vibrant and available during a key demand window for Vietnamese consumers: June to October.

Compliance with plant health measures, logistics improvements and trade cooperation have already proven that South Africa can deliver efficiently. The question now is whether both nations will build on the trade momentum and expand access to other beloved citrus types – particularly mandarins.

Gaining new market access takes time, but the benefits are immense. South Africa’s 2025 mandarin season was exceptional and clearly indicates the upward production trajectory the industry is on: 53.5 million cartons of mandarins were packed for export, representing a notable 28% increase from the previous season. This growth highlights the industry’s strong upward production trajectory and reinforces the urgency of securing new high-potential markets such as Vietnam.

Also read: Vision 260 Strategy: Citrus exports deliver on growth promise

Strategic Diversification Beyond Traditional Markets

Expanding citrus trade isn’t just about filling supermarket shelves. It’s about deepening economic ties, diversifying markets and reducing dependency on regions where tariffs and protectionism loom large. For Vietnam, it means access to more premium citrus types that support health-conscious consumers and food industries. For South Africa, it’s a chance to turn a seasonal citrus industry into nothing less than a year-round growth engine.

The CGA and Citrus Research International formed part of the South African delegation during President Ramaphosa’s state visit to Vietnam. The Ministers of Agriculture (Minister Steenhuisen) and Trade, Industry and Competition (Minister Tau) met with their Vietnamese counterparts to strengthen trade relations and participate in sectoral engagements. A central focus of these discussions was advancing market access for the remaining citrus types and addressing outstanding trade barriers. The visit underscored Vietnam’s strategic importance in South Africa’s broader market diversification efforts.

Markets like those of Vietnam can help translate increased citrus volumes into job creation in rural South Africa. As more and more Vietnamese consumers enjoy our oranges, the challenge is to keep the trade diplomacy and the protocol development on mandarins moving.

Citrus trade can become a cornerstone for a deeper, mutually beneficial partnership with Vietnam – one that turns opportunity into lasting impact.