Oranges market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Orange production in South Africa, measured in value terms, declined in 2019 as the industry began shifting focus toward soft citrus in major growing regions like Western Cape and Limpopo. This shift temporarily affected orange output, but significant investments and aggressive new plantings of seedless and late-maturing orange varieties laid a foundation for future capacity.

The implementation of stringent EU cold-chain phytosanitary measures in 2021 sharply reduced orange exports to that key market. However, the Russia-Ukraine war simultaneously forced a redirection of South African exports to other European countries, increasing volumes and putting downward pressure on prices. Domestic factors, including labor strikes and rising freight rates in 2022, contributed to higher local orange prices, which drove an increase in the market's dollar value despite export challenges.

Climatic difficulties in 2023 led to downward revisions of harvest estimates, particularly for Valencia oranges, tightening supply. This, combined with global juice market trends, caused local orange prices to surge dramatically in 2024. Throughout the period, the citrus sector saw continuous investment and new plantings, even as competition from Egyptian oranges intensified in the European market.

Production oranges in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked 12th globally in orange production volume.

Top producers of oranges, 2018-2021

World map of production of oranges, 2018-2021

Following a two-year decline, South Africa's orange production volume increased in 2021. The country produced 1 612 K t of oranges that year, marking a controlled uptick of 7.5% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 9.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 1 499 K t, with the largest decline of 11.2% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Orange production in South Africa increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. The output was valued at 1 002 M $ US, reflecting a modest rise of 5.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 11.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 947 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 16.0%.

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

Exports oranges from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

South Africa's foreign orange supplies increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. The country exported 1 295 K t of oranges, corresponding to a slight rise of 2.8% compared to 2020. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 186 K t, with the largest decline of 7.2% occurring that year. In contrast, the largest increase of 6.2% was recorded in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the partner landscape for exports in kind was diverse. The Netherlands (20.5% of exports in kind), China (8.3%), and the United Arab Emirates (7.0%) together accounted for only 35.8% of total flows, while a substantial 64.2% was supplied to many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Orange export volumes from South Africa increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. Exports stood at 804.8 M $ US, indicating a rise of 0.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 665.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 18.0%. The largest increase of 20.3% was recorded in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa traded oranges with many countries. Even the largest destinations—the Netherlands, China, and the United Arab Emirates—together represented only 34.1% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports oranges to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, South Africa's orange imports stood at 3 K t, indicating an advance of 41.1% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 17.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 2 K t, with the largest decline of 44.0% occurring that year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 K t.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Eswatini and Spain played the leading roles in imports in kind, with a combined share of 87.9% of total flows. The remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, cross-border shipments of oranges to South Africa increased in 2021. Imports amounted to 1.6 M $ US, showing a sharp rise of 29.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 25.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 1.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 1.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain and Eswatini played the leading roles in imports in value terms, with a combined share of 82.7% of total flows. The remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

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

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