South Africa is set for a record campaign, with an expected 143 million 15-kg boxes for export (+ 12 % on 2019 and 16 % above the four-year average). Unsurprisingly, the rise can manly be attributed to easy peelers and the lemon (+ 27 % and + 19 % on 2019, respectively). The cultivation area for these two citrus families has expanded by 9 000 to 10 000 ha over the past five years. The increase has been much more moderate for the grapefruit (+ 4 %) and to a lesser degree for the orange (+ 8 to 9 % for Valencia and Navel). The context is highly mixed. The fall in the rand is an asset in terms of competitiveness, and pressure from Northern Hemisphere produce will be lower during the transition period, in particular for oranges (significant shortfall in Spain, and seemingly in Egypt too). Conversely, what will be the impact of the current health crisis on world demand, particularly in Russia (approx. 10 % of South African sales), where the rouble has collapsed along with oil rates? Furthermore, logistics could be even more problematic than in previous years. While the country’s recurrent problems of lack of infrastructures are – slowly – being addressed, the current difficulties that the sea-freight sector is encountering (shortage of containers due to lockdown in China, congestion of ports, extended transport times) could take a toll.
Sources: CGA, Reefertrends
citruses - south africa - exports table
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