By Eamonn Ryan
The Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) Citrus Marketing Forum’s June session offered a comprehensive overview of South Africa’s citrus export season, highlighting key market trends, logistical hurdles, and evolving regulatory landscapes for grapefruit, lemons, mandarins, and oranges. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.
Commodity performance and market trends
- Grapefruit: Packing volumes are steadily declining as northern regions pass their peak, with current volumes mainly from Orania, Graff-Reinet, and KZN. Accumulatively, volumes are slightly lower than 2023, though more fruit is being directed to processing later in the season. The EU remains the dominant market (51%), with increased shipments to Russia and declines to China and Southeast Asia.
- Lemons: Packing volumes are declining after a high second pick, with northern regions nearing completion. The Eastern and Western Cape are now active, anticipating a very high third pick despite a recent drop in volumes due to severe Eastern Cape rains. The Middle East has seen a significant increase in shipments, while the UK and Canada are slightly down. South African lemons face competition primarily from Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay in key European, Canadian, and Russian markets. European lemon demand is strong, with stable prices expected, particularly given reports of frost in Turkey. However, the Middle East market is under pressure.
- Mandarins: Packing is declining for early varieties, with northern regions now focusing on later varieties like Tango and Orri. Quality and color development look promising. Shipping is progressing well, with consistent EU volumes (450 000-500 000 cartons/week) and strong Middle East volumes (550 000-600 000 cartons/week). South Africa competes with Peru, Argentina and Uruguay in various global markets, dominating European regions in later weeks.
- Navels and valencias: Navel packing is progressing well, with volumes increasing before a slight decline as earlier varieties finish. Valencias have also commenced packing, showing good crop development and earlier color, which is leading to earlier exports this season. Both navels and Valencias are tracking on target, with northern fruit tending to be larger.
- Overall projections: The latest total season projection is 172.6 million cartons, a slight increase from the original 171.1 million. As of Week 25, 74.5 million cartons (43%) have been packed, with grapefruit 75% complete, lemons 73%, navels 52%, and mandarins 43%. Valencias have just begun at 10%.