Citrus fruit market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

Citrus fruit production in the SADC region remained stable at around 9.6 million tonnes between 2018 and 2020. The market size contracted to 7.3 million tonnes in 2020 as a slight dip in output coincided with rising export volumes.

From 2021, production entered a strong growth phase, exceeding 11 million tonnes by 2023. This expansion occurred despite significant challenges, including stringent EU phytosanitary regulations for Citrus Black Spot and False Codling Moth, which constrained export access for oranges. The industry responded with major investments in production efficiency, such as protective netting and over R1 billion in research and innovation, to counter high input costs and infrastructure issues. These measures directly boosted output, driving the domestic market size from 7.6 million tonnes in 2021 to 8.7 million tonnes in 2023.

The sector's simultaneous push to secure new market access, for example by doubling mandarin exports to the Philippines, helped sustain volume growth. Continued focus on innovation and orchard management supported the rising production trend through the end of 2023.

Production citrus fruit in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Citrus fruit production in SADC declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, production reached 9 626 K t, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 12.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 9 654 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 12.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit production in SADC amounted to 7 107 M $ US, marking a 10.5% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 13.6%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 4.3%. The most significant decline was observed in 2019, when production value fell by 6.2%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, citrus fruit exports from SADC reached 2 343 K t, representing a 12.9% increase over 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 20.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports decreased by 4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for citrus fruit in kind was highly diversified. The Netherlands accounted for 20.0% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 8.6%, and Russia for 7.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 35.7% of total exports, indicating that no single partner dominated the market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit exports from SADC stood at 1 730 M $ US, showing a significant increase of 25.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 22.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 383 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 10.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Russia were the largest buyers of citrus fruit from SADC in value terms, accounting for 18.6%, 9.7%, and 7.2% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 35.5% of total export value, reflecting a diversified country structure with no dominant partner.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, citrus fruit imports into SADC increased in 2020. Imports reached 32 K t, showing a moderate rise of 5.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 30 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure for citrus fruit in kind was characterized by a wide range of partners. Egypt contributed 9.1% of imports in kind, Spain 5.1%, and Pakistan 2.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 16.7% of total imports, with the remaining 83.3% sourced from numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit imports into SADC was 6.4% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 10.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 9.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 5.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports of citrus fruit in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. Egypt accounted for 11.1% of imports in value terms, Spain for 9.1%, and Portugal for 3.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 23.3% of total import value, highlighting the diversified nature of SADC's import sources.

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

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