South Africa’s citrus exports fell by 1.5% in the 2026 season as shipping disruptions linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran, adverse weather conditions and changing international trade arrangements placed pressure on the country’s citrus industry.
Citrus growers exported 201 million cartons during the 2026 season, down from 204 million cartons in 2025, according to the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA).
The decline highlights the challenges facing one of South Africa’s most important agricultural export industries, which relies heavily on international shipping networks to reach major markets across the Middle East, Europe and other regions.
South Africa is the world’s second-largest citrus exporter by value, after Spain, with citrus representing the country’s largest agricultural export. The sector generated R44.9 billion (US$2.7 billion) in export earnings in 2025.
Iran war disrupts citrus shipments to Middle Eastern markets
Shipping disruptions associated with the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran affected South African citrus exporters, particularly those supplying Middle Eastern destinations.
The region normally accounts for approximately 20% of South Africa’s citrus exports, making it an important market for local growers.
According to the CGA, exporters encountered container shortages and difficulties accessing Middle Eastern markets, with shipments to destinations such as Iraq and Saudi Arabia often requiring longer shipping routes.
These logistical challenges increased pressure on exporters attempting to maintain deliveries and fulfil international market commitments during the season.
The disruption also highlights the vulnerability of agricultural exports to geopolitical developments, particularly where producers depend on established maritime routes to transport perishable commodities.
Adverse weather damages citrus production
Beyond shipping difficulties, adverse weather conditions also affected the industry’s production capacity.
Flooding across the Western and Eastern Cape damaged and destroyed citrus orchards in key production areas, adding to the challenges experienced by growers during the 2026 season.
The damage raises concerns about the resilience of citrus production to extreme weather events, particularly as growers face increasing pressure to maintain consistent export volumes and quality standards.
Loss of AGOA benefits creates additional trade pressure
South African citrus exporters are also preparing for the implications of the country’s exclusion from the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which removes preferential duty-free access to the US market.
The United States accounts for approximately 5% of South Africa’s citrus exports, making the loss of preferential trade arrangements another concern for the industry.
The development adds to an increasingly challenging export environment characterised by geopolitical uncertainty, changing trade conditions and disruptions to international supply chains.
With citrus generating billions of rand in export earnings annually, maintaining access to international markets and strengthening logistics resilience will remain important priorities for South African growers.
The 2026 export performance underscores the need for the industry to manage both production risks and international trade disruptions while protecting its competitiveness in global citrus markets.