South Africa’s citrus exports have reached a record high this year, solidifying the country’s position as the world’s second-largest citrus exporter after Spain. However, local producers are expressing growing concern over potential new tariffs imposed by the United States, which could dampen future shipments.
Figures from the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) show that export volumes rose to around 165 million cartons in 2025, marking a 9% increase from last year. The growth has been driven by expanding demand in Asian and Middle Eastern markets, coupled with improved logistics through South Africa’s ports.
Despite the milestone, farmers are uneasy about Washington’s review of citrus import duties, which could raise costs for South African exporters. CGA Chief Executive Justin Chadwick warned that any tariff hike “would hurt competitiveness and undermine years of trade relationship building with the US.”
As reported by Business Day and Reuters, South Africa currently exports nearly $120 million worth of citrus annually to the US, representing about 10% of its global citrus trade. The industry, which supports over 140,000 jobs, is urging the government to intensify diplomatic engagement to preserve market access and protect its export gains.
