Oranges market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The orange market volume in SADC grew moderately from 1 475 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 500 thousand tons in 2019. However, it dropped sharply to 1 209 thousand tons in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic was a key driver, causing logistical delays and higher production costs while boosting European demand for oranges, which increased exports from SADC and reduced domestic availability.

Market volume recovered to 1 242 thousand tons in 2021 and surged to 1 466 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was fueled by increased production as South African exporters redirected shipments to Europe after the Russian invasion of Ukraine disrupted traditional trade flows. At the same time, the abrupt enactment of EU cold chain SPS measures posed challenges for exports. In 2023, volume slightly declined to 1 437 thousand tons due to geopolitical tensions and animal disease outbreaks in South Africa, which constrained production growth.

In 2024, regulatory pressures from EU false codling moth regulations and severe weather events in South African growing regions, including floods and drought, led to smaller fruit sizes and reduced export volumes, influencing the domestic market dynamics.

Production oranges in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oranges, 2017-2020

World map of production of oranges, 2017-2020

SADC's orange production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 2 442 K t of oranges, marking an 8.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 756 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of orange output in SADC reached 1 589 M $ US, representing a 3.4% increase from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 537 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 12.4%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 1 755 M $ US, with the highest growth rate that year at 10.4%.

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

Exports oranges from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

SADC exported 1 249 K t of oranges in 2020, showing a 6.5% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 1 172 K t, which saw the largest decline of 9.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 296 K t, with the largest increase that year of 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, China, and the United Arab Emirates were the largest buyers of oranges from SADC, accounting for 19.6%, 8.1%, and 6.5% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined contribution was only 34.2% of total exports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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 orange exports from SADC reached 812.5 M $ US, indicating a 19.9% year-on-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 6.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 677.6 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 17.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 825.2 M $ US.

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

From 2017 to 2020, orange exports in value terms from SADC were spread across many countries. The Netherlands, China, and the United Arab Emirates accounted for 18.0%, 9.4%, and 6.7% of exports in value, respectively, but together they represented only 34.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports oranges to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, orange imports into SADC increased. In 2020, the region imported 16 K t of oranges, up by 17.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 17.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 14 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 18.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Egypt, Spain, and Portugal were notable suppliers of oranges to SADC, contributing 12.6%, 3.6%, and 2.0% of imports in kind, respectively. However, their joint share reached only 18.1% of total imports, indicating they were not dominant in the market.

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

Foreign orange supplies to SADC declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 14.2 M $ US, amounting to a 2.0% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Spain, and Portugal were important suppliers of oranges to SADC, accounting for 13.8%, 5.7%, and 3.7% of imports in value terms, respectively. Their combined share was only 23.2% of total imports, with the remaining 76.8% distributed among many other partners.

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

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