South Africa overtakes Spain as the world’s top citrus exporter by volume
South Africa exported 2.9 million tonnes of citrus in 2025 and overtook Spain by volume, but the new season is unfolding under tariff pressure, phytosanitary disputes, costly logistics and flood damage.
South Africa exported close to 2.9 million tonnes of citrus in the 2025 season, overtaking Spain to become the world’s largest citrus exporter by volume. The Citrus Growers Association said the result marks a major milestone for the industry. South Africa has long been the leading citrus exporter in the Southern Hemisphere, while Spain traditionally held the comparable title in the Northern Hemisphere. The latest figures put South Africa ahead on global export tonnage.
That achievement does not mean the sector enters the new season without stress. Citrus Growers Association chief executive Boitshoko Ntshabele said the conflict in the Middle East and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are reshaping trade routes and lifting fuel costs, placing direct pressure on grower margins. Exporters are also dealing with volatile prices, rising input and logistics costs, and ongoing market-access barriers.
By physical volume, the 2026 campaign could still be a record one. Growers expect to export between 210 million and 215 million 15kg cartons of oranges, lemons, mandarins and grapefruit. The export season normally runs from April to October. But the larger the crop, the more damaging tariffs and phytosanitary restrictions become. The industry is explicitly calling for better access to the European Union, the United States, India and China to improve producer returns.
The article highlights two major trade pressure points. One is the US market: Washington imposed a 30% tariff on all South African imports last year, although that measure was later suspended and some citrus products, including oranges, were exempted. A blanket 10% US tariff on imports has nevertheless been in place since February 2026 and is expected to expire in July 2026. The other pressure point is the EU, South Africa’s biggest citrus destination. The long-running dispute over false codling moth and citrus black spot requirements is costing growers an extra R3.7 billion a year, according to the industry.
Weather has added another layer of risk. Heavy rain and flooding in the Eastern and Western Cape have damaged infrastructure and uprooted trees, while early estimates suggest 10% to 12% of the Gamtoos Valley crop has been affected. The Citrus Growers Association said soft citrus may be hit most sharply because early mandarin harvesting was accelerating when the rains arrived. At the same time, the industry did receive a positive signal from China, which eased cold-treatment rules and is expected to support citrus trade further under a zero-tariff regime.