2024 SA citrus exports reach 164.5 million cartons, just shy of 2023 record — CGA

The 2024 citrus export season has wrapped up and the final numbers, while falling well short of initial forecasts, still point to a bumper year – a green shoot amid a withered agricultural landscape. 

South Africa is the world’s number two citrus exporter, making the labour- and capital-intensive sector a key source of foreign exchange earnings. 

The Citrus Growers Association (CGA) said on Thursday that 164.5 million 15kg cartons were packed for delivery to global markets by southern African producers, the vast majority of whom are South African.

That is just 600,000 cartons shy of the 2023 record but 9% less than initial predictions of 181.7 million cartons – a state of affairs explained by unexpected weather events.

“No less than three severe weather events also had an impact on exports. Freezing temperatures in Limpopo, floods in the Western Cape (Citrusdal), and strong winds that caused fruit to drop in the Eastern Cape resulted in a reduction of fruit packed for global markets,” CGA CEO Justin Chadwick said. 

“Another factor was the abnormally hot and dry conditions during the mid- to late-summer period, which led to smaller fruit sizes. This meant that approximately 4% more fruit were required to fill the same carton than in the previous year.”

All of South Africa’s commercial citrus production is under irrigation but growers still need rain and temperatures that are not blazing. 

High domestic juice prices – a reflection of soaring global prices after poor crops in Brazil and Florida – also affected export volumes. 

“Sources in the juice industry reported a significant increase of between 60% to 80% in volumes of oranges processed at their facilities, compared to the 2023 season. It’s estimated that about 6 million 15kg cartons of oranges – that is 7% – destined for exports were diverted to juice plants,” said Precious Kunota, business intelligence and data manager at the CGA. 

Citrus export volumes are expected to increase over the next few seasons, which will increase pressure on South Africa’s ports, according to the CGA.(Photo: Tony Carnie)

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