Citrus fruit market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African citrus fruit market volume grew consistently from 36 899 thousand tons in 2018 to 41 406 thousand tons in 2022, supported by a rise in domestic production from 40 996 to 45 561 thousand tons over the same period. The market stabilized in 2023 at 41 367 thousand tons, reflecting a plateau after several years of expansion.

In value terms, the market increased from $24 737 million in 2018 to $35 158 million in 2023, despite temporary dips in 2020 and 2022. This rise in market value was driven by the overall growth in physical volumes coupled with broader price movements across the period.

Intra-African trade for citrus remained significant, with South Africa as a key exporter. However, extreme weather conditions and logistical disruptions at the port of Cape Town posed challenges for the 2023/2024 export season, coinciding with a slight 1.5% decline in South Africa's overall agricultural production volume in 2024.

Production citrus fruit in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Africa's citrus fruit production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the continent produced 43 654 thousand tons of citrus fruit, marking a modest increase of 2.9% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit production in Africa reached 30 286 million US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 27 459 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 30 452 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 6.6%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports citrus fruit from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Africa exported 4 466 thousand tons of citrus fruit, representing a substantial increase of 21.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export volumes grew by 32.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.9%. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 11.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, surging by 23.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, citrus fruit exports from Africa were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. The top three destinations—the Netherlands with 15.4% of exports, Russia with 13.7%, and Saudi Arabia with 7.1%—collectively accounted for just 36.2% of total export volumes, indicating a broad market spread.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Africa's citrus fruit exports were valued at 3 098 million US dollars, showing a strong increase of 17.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 26.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The structure of citrus fruit exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 highlights a diversified set of trading partners. The Netherlands accounted for 14.5% of export value, Russia for 13.6%, and Saudi Arabia for 7.6%, together making up only 35.7% of total flows. The remaining 64.3% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports citrus fruit to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Africa imported 69 thousand tons of citrus fruit, an increase of 8.6% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 63 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 70 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant source for citrus fruit imports into Africa. Spain accounted for 3.3% of import volumes, Portugal for 2.6%, and Pakistan for 0.9%, together representing only 6.9% of total imports. The vast majority of imports came from a wide array of smaller partners, each with modest individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Citrus fruit imports into Africa have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 75 million US dollars, up by 6.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 69 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year, dropping by 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, citrus fruit imports into Africa were sourced from a highly diversified set of markets. Spain accounted for 7.0% of import value, Portugal for 5.6%, and Israel for 1.7%, together making up only 14.3% of total imports. The remaining 85.7% was distributed among many smaller partners, each contributing modest shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020