South Africa has officially overtaken Spain to become the world’s top citrus exporter, shipping 2.9 million tons to global markets in 2025. The milestone underscores the country’s growing dominance in international agricultural trade, driven by long-term investment in orchards, improved production techniques, and expanding export markets.
The Citrus Growers Association (CGA) highlighted the achievement while noting the finely balanced nature of global citrus supply. Northern hemisphere producers are expected to return to higher volumes once seasonal weather conditions improve.
In the Sundays River Valley, one of the country’s strongest performing regions, growers exported 17.1 million cartons — 30% above initial estimates — despite devastating floods, damaged infrastructure, and rising operational costs. Industry sources described the sector as remaining resilient in the face of these challenges.
A key concern raised by growers is the impact of the war in the Middle East. Shipping rates to the region have nearly doubled compared to last year, while typical transit times have extended from 10-14 days to 50-60 days. This has placed significant stress on fruit quality upon arrival. Increased diesel prices have added further pressure.
The local citrus industry currently supports more than 140,000 jobs across its value chain. The CGA has set an ambitious target of growing exports to 260 million cartons annually by 2032.
Industry leaders cautioned that rising shipping costs, tariffs, and market access issues continue to challenge local growers even as export volumes reach record highs.
