South African citrus exports seem set to rise as efforts are undertaken to expand into new markets in the Middle East and Bangladesh.
The South African citrus industry stands on the brink of a significant transformation. Mitchell Brooke, a senior executive at the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA), confirms the industry’s readiness to handle an upsurge in citrus exports. With an ambitious eye on the future, specifically targeting the Vision 260 export goal, South Africa is poised to substantially increase its citrus production and exports in the coming years.
“The tree census data and long-term crop projection model, not to omit what we see with our own eyes, highlights the number of hectares that have been planted over the last few years,” said Brooke, who is leading the industry’s logistical planning.
Expanding production capacities
The increase in citrus exports is supported by robust data and visible expansions in citrus groves across the country. Recent tree census data and crop projections indicate that vast tracts of land have been effectively utilized for citrus cultivation, with mature trees ready to produce approximately 185 million 15kg cartons in the near term, according to Brooke. Despite annual fluctuations due to various factors, the 2024 export estimate is set at just over 180 million cartons, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. “This projected volume will be affected by harvesting and market dynamics as the season progresses,” Brooke said.
Regional export dynamics
Analyzing the distribution of production, the northern regions of South Africa show the most significant growth, with projections rising from 82 million to 91 million cartons. The Eastern Cape and the combined Northern and Western Cape regions also see promising increases, reinforcing the overall growth trajectory of the industry.
Crucial role of integration and collaboration
Brooke emphasized the importance of integration and collaboration within the industry, particularly in logistics and shipping. As South Africa faces challenges related to infrastructure and port operations, fostering a collaborative environment is vital. This approach will facilitate smoother operations and troubleshoot emerging issues, ensuring the industry’s capacity to meet and exceed its export goals.
Strategic developments and international opportunities
Further enhancing the export potential, the CGA is focusing on two strategic initiatives. Firstly, the improvement of rail transport for citrus moving from inland areas to ports is seen as crucial. “There is no getting away from the fact that transporting citrus by rail from hinterland and port precincts is fundamentally important. Former Transnet Freight Rail Executive Jan-Louis Spoelstra has been appointed to guide the citrus industry on the changing rail landscape and to navigate the path for progressive implementation of rail-aligned projects,” said Brooke.
Secondly, the increasing use of the Maputo port in Mozambique as an export hub highlights a shift towards more diversified shipping routes. “We have seen a significant uptake of containers of citrus being routed from Maputo to the Middle East and Bangladesh in 2023,” Brooke confirmed. “In the short term, this can be increased and expanded to more destinations in greater Asia, the Far East and Southeast Asian countries that do not require pre-clearance or cold treatment measures.” As such, the CGA and the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF) have also agreed to coordinate a working group aligned to the development of exporting increasing volume of citrus from the Maputo port in Mozambique.
A win-win for South Africa
The concerted efforts by various stakeholders in the South African citrus industry are setting the stage for a future where the country not only meets its export targets but also strengthens its position in the global citrus market. Success in these endeavors means not just economic gains but also the strengthening of South Africa’s agricultural sector on the world stage. As the industry gears up for these exciting developments, the promise of growth and prosperity holds very real benefits for the country and its trading partners globally.
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