South Africa’s citrus industry recorded its largest export season on record in 2025, shipping 203.4 million 15 kg cartons to international markets — a 22% increase on 2024 and well above the industry’s April forecast of 171.2 million cartons. The bumper season reflected a combination of favourable weather, maturing orchards, improved logistics and stronger demand for juicing oranges and lemons, together with an early end to Northern Hemisphere supply.
Citrus Growers’ Association CEO Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele said improved port performance was central to the season’s success. He credited Transnet’s investments in new equipment and productivity-linked employee incentives, along with strong cooperation from shipping lines and other logistics players, for creating a more productive logistics ecosystem. On-farm improvements in water use, pest management and the expansion of net-covered hectares also boosted pack-out rates and fruit quality.
The 2025 results leave the industry slightly ahead of the CGA’s Vision 260 strategy, which targets 260 million cartons by 2032 and aims to create 100,000 new jobs. Despite the strong season, Dr Ntshabele cautioned that growers continue to face volatile prices, rising input costs and market-access barriers such as high tariffs and unscientific plant-health measures. He warned that a 30% tariff recently introduced by the United States, while having limited impact on the 2025 season because it took effect after most shipments were completed, could constrain trade in 2026 unless a mutually beneficial trade arrangement or seasonal exemptions are secured.
Volume performance across categories was strong: grapefruit shipments rose to 15.3 million cartons, mandarins reached 53.5 million cartons, lemons totalled 41.3 million cartons, navel oranges hit 31.5 million cartons and Valencia oranges climbed to 61.8 million cartons from 48.7 million the previous year. CGA chairperson Gerrit van der Merwe said that securing and expanding access to key markets — including China, India, Japan, South Korea, the European Union and the United States — will be critical to sustaining growth.
Looking ahead, the industry plans to consolidate logistics gains, diversify markets and press for trade measures that protect competitiveness. Maintaining momentum toward Vision 260 will require continued investment in production efficiencies, market access negotiation and policies that reduce cost pressures on growers while supporting long-term employment and export targets.
