In South Africa, citrus producers have gained additional opportunities to supply fresh fruit to India after the Indian side approved new cold treatment options against fruit fly on August 18. The decision was the result of nearly a decade of negotiations between the two countries. The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa and South Africa’s Ministry of Agriculture said the new protocols should improve fruit quality and give exporters greater logistical flexibility.
As Daily Maverick reports, South Africa already exports citrus to India, and shipment volumes rose by 85% in 2025, according to the industry association. The number of pallets shipped increased from fewer than 4,000 in 2016 to about 54,000 in 2025.
A large market and tariffs
India, with a population of about 1.47 billion people, is an important destination for South African producers. Due to different production seasons, South Africa can supply fruit during periods of lower domestic production in India.
At the same time, South African citrus is subject in India to most-favoured-nation tariffs of about 25–30%. This puts it at a disadvantage compared with competitors from the Southern Hemisphere that have preferential trade arrangements.
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Export diversification
The search for new markets has become more relevant amid a difficult 2026 export season. On August 24, the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa lowered its export forecast to 197.9 million 15 kg cartons, compared with the initial estimate of 209.4 million cartons. The forecast for Valencia oranges is 58 million cartons and for Navels 24.3 million, approximately 8% and 19% below the original estimates, respectively.
The association linked part of the pressure on exports to the conflict in the Middle East, which disrupted trade routes for South African fruit. According to the association, this also reduced the availability of empty containers, worsened port congestion and increased transport and logistics costs.
Citrus is South Africa’s leading agricultural export product and accounted for 17% of the country’s $15.1 billion in agricultural exports in 2025. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, said the industry, which employs more than 100,000 people, needs new markets as well as improvements to port and road infrastructure. In 2025, South Africa exported about 2.9 million tonnes of citrus, surpassing Spain in export volume.
Other countries in the region are also increasing citrus production and processing. Zimbabwe launched a $25 million citrus processing plant in Beitbridge, while Botswana is expanding the Selebi Phikwe project, targeting, among others, the markets of the UAE, China and India.
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