Citrus fruit market in Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for citrus fruit in Eswatini expanded significantly from 155.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 173.3 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was primarily concentrated in 2019, when the market jumped by over 16 thousand tons to reach 171.7 thousand tons.

Following the 2019 surge, the market stabilized at around 170 thousand tons, with minor fluctuations in subsequent years. Production levels remained consistently near 188 thousand tons annually, while exports experienced a steady decline from 41.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 23.7 thousand tons in 2023. This reduction in overseas shipments coincided with the rise in domestic market volume.

Import volumes varied between 8.4 and 12.0 thousand tons during the period, without a clear trend. The overall market growth over the five-year period amounted to an 11.7% increase, reflecting a shift toward greater domestic consumption of citrus fruit in Eswatini.

Production citrus fruit in Eswatini

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Eswatini's citrus fruit production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 187 957 tonnes, marking a 1.1% increase. The following year, in 2020, production remained broadly stable at 187 288 tonnes compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Eswatini in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of advance, citrus fruit production in Eswatini declined in value. In 2019, output peaked at 63 743 thousand US dollars, with a significant 19.1% increase. By 2020, production value dropped to 62 472 thousand US dollars, a 2.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 20.3%, averaging a 6.4% compound annual growth rate.

Annual dynamics of production in Eswatini in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports citrus fruit from Eswatini

Exports in kind, t

Citrus fruit exports from Eswatini showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, exports were at their lowest at 41 397 tonnes. The following year, 2018, saw the highest volume at 41 397 tonnes, a 73.5% increase. In 2019, exports declined sharply by 31.8%, and by 2020, they reached 27 756 tonnes, a slight 1.7% fall from 2019. The gap between the highest and lowest years was 1.7-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and South Africa were the main destinations for Eswatini's citrus fruit exports in volume. The Netherlands accounted for 30.0% of exports, the United Kingdom for 16.9%, and South Africa for 12.0%, together making up 58.9% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Eswatini's citrus fruit export value exhibited an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, exports were at their lowest at 11 916 thousand US dollars. The following year, 2018, saw the peak at 11 916 thousand US dollars, with a 78.1% increase. In 2019, exports declined by 19.7%, and by 2020, they dropped to 9 258 thousand US dollars, a 3.3% decrease year-on-year. The difference between the highest and lowest years was 1.8 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country composition of Eswatini's citrus fruit exports in value was dispersed. The Netherlands accounted for 29.0% of exports, the United Kingdom for 11.1%, and Russia for 8.6%, together forming 48.8% of total flows. The remaining 51.2% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Eswatini

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year uptick, citrus fruit imports into Eswatini declined in volume. In 2018, imports increased by 19.0%. The following year, 2019, saw the peak at 11 969 tonnes. By 2020, imports dropped to 8 429 tonnes, a 29.6% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was overwhelmingly the main source for citrus fruit imports into Eswatini in volume, accounting for 95.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of increase, Eswatini's citrus fruit import value declined. In 2018, imports rose by 23.7%. The following year, 2019, reached the maximum at 1 875 thousand US dollars. By 2020, imports fell to 1 229 thousand US dollars, marking a steep 34.4% drop compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of citrus fruit into Eswatini in value were highly concentrated on South Africa, which accounted for 97.5% of total flows.

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

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