South Africa Overtakes Spain To Become World’s Largest Citrus Exporter
- May 18
- 2 min read
South Africa has officially overtaken Spain to become the world’s largest citrus exporter by volume, after shipping a record 2.9 million tonnes of citrus during the 2025 season.
The milestone marks a major moment for the South African citrus sector, which has continued to expand its global footprint through sustained investment in orchards, production techniques and export infrastructure. Industry figures said the achievement also reflects the sector’s strong compliance with international plant health and sustainability standards.
According to the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA), South Africa’s export-focused production model has helped drive continued growth in international shipments, despite increasingly difficult global trading conditions.
The industry is now targeting exports of 260 million 15kg cartons by 2032 as part of its long-term Vision 260 strategy.
However, the CGA warned that strong export volumes do not necessarily translate into easier trading conditions for growers.
CGA chief executive Boitshoko Ntshabele said producers continue to face mounting pressure from rising input costs, volatile shipping markets and ongoing market access barriers.
Concerns remain over high tariffs and what the industry describes as “unscientific” phytosanitary measures affecting exports into key destinations including the EU, US, India and China.
The industry is also dealing with disruption caused by severe flooding in parts of the Eastern and Western Cape, which has damaged orchards and infrastructure during the current export season. Early estimates suggested up to 12% of the Gamtoos Valley crop may have been affected.
Despite the challenges, South Africa’s position at the top of the global citrus export rankings underlines the growing importance of Southern Hemisphere supply in maintaining year-round citrus availability for international markets.
The CGA noted that South Africa and Spain continue to play complementary roles within the global citrus trade due to their opposite growing seasons, ensuring continuous supply for consumers worldwide.
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