Citrus fruit market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market volume in Sub-Saharan Africa grew from 19 508 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 22 259 thousand tonnes in 2023. This expansion was driven by increased government-backed agricultural investments, which led to the expansion of citrus planted areas, particularly in South Africa where the area rose from 64 000 hectares in 2013 to 100 000 hectares in 2023. The adoption of advanced irrigation technologies in countries like Morocco also enhanced production resilience against variable climate conditions.

Export volumes fluctuated over the period, peaking at 2 746 thousand tonnes in 2021 but facing challenges from stricter European Union phytosanitary regulations and rising logistics costs. Domestic consumption was bolstered by promotional campaigns targeting local demand, such as for grapefruit in South Africa. By 2023, efforts to improve storage and post-harvest infrastructure helped sustain market volume, while the emergence of value-added segments like citrus extracts contributed to market development.

In value terms, the market peaked at $15 342 million in 2020 but experienced fluctuations due to price changes and cost pressures. Local prices were affected by abundant supply, while export market diversification into Africa, the EU, and Asia helped mitigate regulatory barriers. The development of value-added products supported market value, with production reaching $17 926 million in 2023.

Production citrus fruit in Sub-Saharan Africa

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 Sub-Saharan Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 22 848 thousand tonnes of citrus fruit, marking a 4.7% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, citrus fruit production in Sub-Saharan Africa rebounded in 2020. The output was valued at 17 007 million US dollars, representing a significant 15.7% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 14 693 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.2%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 2 332 thousand tonnes of citrus fruit, showing a 13.3% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 20.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, citrus fruit exports from Sub-Saharan Africa were distributed across numerous markets. The Netherlands accounted for 19.8% of exports in volume, the United Kingdom for 8.5%, and Russia for 7.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 35.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit exports from Sub-Saharan Africa reached 1 736 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 25.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 22.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 387 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, the value of citrus fruit exports from Sub-Saharan Africa was spread across many markets. The Netherlands contributed 18.5% of export value, the United Kingdom 9.6%, and Russia 7.2%. Combined, these three countries made up just 35.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported 74 thousand tonnes of citrus fruit, indicating a gradual 8.6% rise from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 68 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 75 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 9.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of citrus fruit imports into Sub-Saharan Africa remained highly diversified. Egypt accounted for 10.3% of imports in volume, Morocco for 4.6%, and Spain for 3.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 18.2% of total import flows, with the remaining 81.8% coming from a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit imports into Sub-Saharan Africa totaled 72 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate 8.6% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 6.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 66 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the country breakdown of citrus fruit import value into Sub-Saharan Africa was scattered. Egypt accounted for 15.6% of import value, Spain for 7.0%, and Portugal for 5.8%. Together, these three countries made up just 28.4% of total import flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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