Orange Report: South Africa 2023

1. Quarantine Pests Limiting Trade - Due to new EU pest control standards, citrus exports from South Africa are predicted to fall by 20% in 2023. The citrus sector is concentrating on limiting the spread of CBS and FCM, both common in Sub-Saharan Africa. The industry is considering a USD 75 million investment in new technology to comply with the new regulations. The Citrus Growers Association (CGA) is encouraging officials to hold a combined meeting of African Union and EU agriculture ministers to discuss the reforms.

2. Setbacks and Opportunities -The citrus business in SA faces several issues, including rising farming input costs, high shipping rates, inefficient infrastructure, and those mentioned new phytosanitary standards. As a result, the industry's profitability and sustainability are jeopardized, potentially limiting future expenditures. On the other hand, citrus duty-free exports to the US under the AGOA are projected to maintain their robust annual growth since the US remains a premium market.

3. Switching to Other Citrus Fruit - While oranges are the most common citrus variety grown in SA, accounting for 48% of the total citrus area planted, soft citrus and lemon/lime have increased significantly, accounting for 25% and 19%, respectively. This expansion is driven by good investment returns, profit margins from soft citrus and lemon production, increased worldwide demand, and a favorable currency rate. The tango citrus variety, created by the University of California Riverside, was given plant breeders rights in South Africa in 2016 and is intended to compete with the Nadorcott variety. Due to increased output, saturation in specific traditional markets, global price declines, and competition from other citrus-producing countries, South African growers must find new markets.