Market research

Mandarins, clementines, tangelos and citrus hybrids market in South Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

South Africa's mandarin market saw initial growth as mandarins accounted for nearly 75% of soft citrus plantings, with the Nadorcott variety dominating, reflecting global demand for easy-peel fruit. This production focus supported a rise in market size from $49.4 million in 2018 to $76.3 million in 2019, with further stabilization through 2020.

Market expansion accelerated in 2021 when exports to China nearly doubled, driven by sufficient rainfall and new plantings reaching full production. The introduction of the late-maturing Orri cultivar in 2022, valued for its storage and travel qualities, strengthened output further, pushing the market to a peak of $111.4 million in 2022.

In 2023, the market size receded to $97.6 million. This coincided with ongoing stringent phytosanitary measures, including cold treatment requirements for exports to India and Japan, which affected market access and logistics. The industry concurrently prepared for future export growth, planning increased clementine shipments for the 2025 season.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In value
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production mandarins, clementines, tangelos and citrus hybrids in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa held the 16th position globally in the production of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids.

Top producers of mandarins, clementines, tangelos and citrus hybrids, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of mandarins, clementines, tangelos and citrus hybrids, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

South Africa's production of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 591.0 thousand tonnes, marking a 28.2% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production rose by 92.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 24.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	22.0%	22.9%	28.2%	24.4%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

South Africa's production value for mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids continued to climb for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 604.0 million US dollars, reflecting a significant 27.7% year-over-year rise. From 2018 to 2021, production value increased by 90.5%, averaging a 24.0% annual growth rate.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.4%	35.1%	27.7%	24.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports mandarins, clementines, tangelos and citrus hybrids from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

South Africa's export volumes of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids expanded for the third straight year. In 2021, the country exported 506.7 thousand tonnes, up by 30.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 94.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.3%	31.8%	30.1%	24.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Russia were the top markets for South Africa's exports in volume terms, accounting for 22.1%, 20.9%, and 8.6% of total flows, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 51.5% of all exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

South Africa's export value for mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 517.9 million US dollars, showing a sharp 29.6% rise over the past year. From 2018 to 2021, export value grew by 92.4%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 24.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.5%	44.8%	29.6%	24.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States were the leading markets for South Africa's exports in value terms, collectively absorbing 51.6% of total export value for mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports mandarins, clementines, tangelos and citrus hybrids to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

South Africa's import volumes of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids rose for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 3.1 thousand tonnes, representing a steep 25.2% increase year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports surged by 145.8%, averaging a 35.0% annual growth rate.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	43.4%	36.8%	25.2%	35.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2018-2021 period, Spain and Morocco consistently supplied 87.8% of South Africa's total import volume, indicating a highly concentrated market with a long tail of smaller suppliers.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

South Africa's import value for mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids grew for the third straight year. In 2021, imports were recorded at 4.3 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 36.9% uptick compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, import value jumped by 187.1%, with an average annual rate of 42.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	44.2%	45.5%	36.9%	42.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain and Morocco dominated as suppliers of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids to South Africa, together accounting for 90.5% of total import value, while other sources each held relatively small shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io