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Citrus Growers Association say SA is the second largest exporter of citrus fruit in the world.
South Africa is the second largest exporter of citrus fruit in the world after Spain. Citrus is South Africa’s largest agricultural export industry, supporting over 140,000 jobs on farms and contributing R34 billion in foreign revenue per season.
Government support is critical for this industry to gain market access.
The United States tariffs crisis has caused anxiety in the industry and made access to new markets increasingly important.
Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (SGASA) CEO, Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele says discussions are underway with countries within BRICS, as well as Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia,
“One of the key issues that we would like government to focus on ahead of the budget vote, is the issue of market access. One of the things that has enabled the citrus industry to grow has been accessing new markets. With Trump’s tariffs, we need to ensure the anticipated growth of this industry, which we estimate would make us export 260 million cartons by 2032. This will require new markets,” says Ntshabele.
The industry has welcomed pronouncements by the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen regarding a greater focus on bio-security. This, as one of the toughest pressure points is with its biggest market, the European Union.
Limitations on exports over Citrus Black Spot (CBS) and False Coddling Moth (FCM), has hampered efforts to expand.
Ntshabele says they will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, to address what he calls restrictions on international markets.
“We face a lot of pressure in terms of what we consider unscientific and unjustified trade barriers with regard to CBS and FCM control. This matter is a subject of a dispute between South Africa and the EU at the World Trade Organisation. A speedy resolution of this matter would ensure that we have improved access and reduced the burden of costs on citrus producers in South Africa,” says Ntshabele.
The citrus export season is at its peak now and will end in October. Limpopo is the biggest production area, followed by the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.
