---
title: "2024 SA citrus exports reach 164.5 million cartons, just shy of 2023 record — CGA"
description: "The Citrus Growers Association’s long-term growth target is to export 260 million cartons and create 100,000 jobs by 2032. Transnet is going to need to come to the party to make that happen."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "BUSINESS MAVERICK"
author: "Ed Stoddard"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/ed-stoddard/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-11-14-sa-citrus-exports-reach-164-5m-cartons-in-2024-just-shy-of-2023-record/"
published: "2024-11-14T20:28:18"
updated: "2024-11-14T20:28:20"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 509
---

# 2024 SA citrus exports reach 164.5 million cartons, just shy of 2023 record — CGA

> The Citrus Growers Association’s long-term growth target is to export 260 million cartons and create 100,000 jobs by 2032. Transnet is going to need to come to the party to make that happen.

By Ed Stoddard · Published 14 November 2024, 22:28 SAST · Updated 14 November 2024, 22:28 SAST

## Key points
- Despite a citrus season that fell short of ambitious forecasts due to adverse weather events and port woes, South Africa’s fruit producers are still squeezing out a decent harvest, proving that even in an agricultural apocalypse, there’s always a zesty silver lining.
- The 2024 citrus export season concluded with 164.5 million cartons packed, just shy of last year's record, despite falling short of initial forecasts due to adverse weather.
- South Africa remains the world’s second-largest citrus exporter, crucial for foreign exchange, but faced challenges from freezing temperatures, floods and drought.
- High domestic juice prices led to a significant diversion of export oranges to juice production, impacting overall export volumes.
- Transnet’s port inefficiencies continue to pose a threat to future citrus export growth, with the Citrus Growers Association aiming for 260 million cartons by 2032.

## Content

The 2024 citrus export season has wrapped up and the final numbers, while falling well short of initial forecasts, still point to a bumper year – a green shoot amid a withered agricultural landscape.

South Africa is the world’s number two citrus exporter, making the labour- and capital-intensive sector a key source of foreign exchange earnings.

The Citrus Growers Association (CGA) said on Thursday that 164.5 million 15kg cartons were packed for delivery to global markets by southern African producers, the vast majority of whom are South African.

That is just 600,000 cartons shy of the 2023 record but 9% less than initial predictions of 181.7 million cartons – a state of affairs explained by unexpected weather events.

“No less than three severe weather events also had an impact on exports. Freezing temperatures in Limpopo, floods in the Western Cape (Citrusdal), and strong winds that caused fruit to drop in the Eastern Cape resulted in a reduction of fruit packed for global markets,” CGA CEO Justin Chadwick said.

“Another factor was the abnormally hot and dry conditions during the mid- to late-summer period, which led to smaller fruit sizes. This meant that approximately 4% more fruit were required to fill the same carton than in the previous year.”

All of South Africa’s commercial citrus production is under irrigation but growers still need rain and temperatures that are not blazing.

High domestic juice prices – a reflection of soaring global prices after poor crops in Brazil and Florida – also affected export volumes.

“Sources in the juice industry reported a significant increase of between 60% to 80% in volumes of oranges processed at their facilities, compared to the 2023 season. It’s estimated that about 6 million 15kg cartons of oranges – that is 7% – destined for exports were diverted to juice plants,” said Precious Kunota, business intelligence and data manager at the CGA.

![Citrus export volumes are expected to increase over the next few seasons, which will increase pressure on South Africa’s ports, according to the CGA.(Photo: Tony Carnie)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/gSCklkRA_5o4LZJCJrIgWYXcl0Y=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/jindal-4-pic-tony-carnie.jpg)

*Citrus orchards in the Nkwaleni Valley, where farmers and residents are worried about losing access to water due to the establishment of a new iron ore mine. (Photo: Tony Carnie)*

#### **The Transnet issue**

The CGA also flagged Transnet’s woes.

“Port efficiency remained a serious concern for the citrus industry during the past season. The lower-than-expected citrus export volumes reduced peak volumes at ports dramatically, which eased pressure on the container terminals,” it said.

“However, all indications are that this is just a temporary reprieve in pressure on our underperforming ports and will not last. Volumes will increase over the next few seasons, and if ports are not improved and capable of handling it, citrus exports and the wider economy will suffer greatly.”

The CGA’s long-term growth target is to export 260 million cartons and create 100,000 jobs by 2032. Transnet is going to need to come to the party to make that happen.

Despite the setbacks this season, it was still a good year for citrus producers, especially when compared to other agricultural sectors that were hard hit by last summer’s searing El Niño event. It’s a shot of vitamin C for an ailing economy.**DM**