Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has reduced their citrus exports estimation even further.
This comes as the 13th Citrus Research International (CRI) Symposium takes place in Drakensberg, KZN, where the Minister of Agriculture, Willie Aucamp, has highlighted the impact of the citrus industry. The CGA previously reduced their forecast on citrus exports earlier in August.
CGA stated that the 2026 season has become uniquely challenging for Southern African citrus growers.
“After a recent meeting of the Orange variety focus group, the export estimates for Valencia and Navel Oranges have been lowered to 58 million 15 kg cartons and 24.3 million 15 kg cartons respectively, a reduction of some 8% and 19% from the opening season estimates. Members of the focus group noted that further reductions to the export estimate will be made if current market conditions do not hold.”
CGA added that the total export estimate for the citrus season across all varieties now stands at 197.9 million 15 kg cartons. “In April, the original estimate for the season was 209.4 million 15 kg cartons.”
Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the CGA, said that in a typical year, growers contend with one or two risk factors.
“However, this year nearly every element of the risk framework materialised negatively in some form. These include geopolitical shocks, severe weather events, disrupted market supply and demand patterns, exchange rate risk, as well as shipping and logistics challenges.”
The CGA said that the conflict in the Middle East is having a significant impact. “The war closed off routes to markets that would ordinarily have absorbed a large share of citrus. South Africa usually exports around 20% of its crop to the Middle East. Apart from this redirection affecting prices in markets, the war's economic repercussions have also led to a decline in global purchasing power this season, especially in middle-class households.”
CGA added that at the same time, the conflict disrupted the supply of empty containers, causing port congestion and driving up shipping and logistics costs, placing financial strain on growers.
Chairperson of the CGA, Gerrit van der Merwe, said that South Africa's production volume this season remained consistent with the industry’s long-term trajectory, as articulated in their Vision 260 strategy.
“Although it cannot in itself account for all the disruptions experienced, it remains a significant volume of fruit that needs to pass efficiently through our ports, onto vessels and ultimately into markets within a distinct supply window. The war redirected fruit away from some of its usual destinations and into a narrower set of markets.”
Minister Aucamp said that the citrus industry contributes significantly to South Africa’s economy, creates employment, sustains rural communities, generates foreign exchange, and places South African agriculture as a powerhouse internationally.
“The citrus industry contributes significantly to South Africa’s economy, creates employment, sustains rural communities, generates foreign exchange, and places South African agriculture as a powerhouse internationally.”
Aucamp added that in terms of industry packing statistics, South African citrus growers packed a record of 203.4 million 15-kilogram cartons in 2025 for exports alone, which is an increase over 2024’s 164.5 million cartons – an additional volume of almost 39 million cartons.
“In terms of industry packing statistics, South African citrus growers packed a record of 203.4 million 15-kilogram cartons in 2025 for exports alone, which is an increase over 2024’s 164.5 million cartons – an additional volume of almost 39 million cartons.”
Aucamp said that behind every carton is a farmer, a farm worker, a packhouse employee, a truck driver, a cold-chain operator, a port worker, an exporter, and numerous other participants across the value chain.
“This makes citrus not merely an agricultural commodity, but a strategic economic asset. Our principal markets include the European Union and wider Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the United Kingdom, North America, China, Japan, South Korea, India, and other Asian markets.”
yogashen.pillay@nationalmg.co.za
THE NATIONAL
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