South Africa claimed the world’s largest
citrus export volume in 2025, surpassing Spain for the first time, according to the Southern Africa Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) and official trade data.
Data from Trade Map showed South Africa exported 3.23 million tons of fresh and dried citrus last year, a year-on-year rise of nearly 28%. Its citrus exports have more than doubled in two decades, jumping from 1.43 million tons in 2006 to the record high in 2025.
Long-time top exporter Spain slipped to second place with exports of 2.98 million tons, only the second time in 20 years its citrus shipments dropped below 3 million tons. Persistent drought, aging orchards and harsh weather severely hit Spain’s 2025-2026 output. Its orange output dipped 6% to a 16-year low, affected by extreme heat, spring rainfall and hailstorms. Structural problems such as outdated plantations also dragged down production.
In contrast, favorable weather and newly mature orchards boosted South Africa’s citrus output. Robust global demand for processing oranges and lemons, plus an earlier end to Northern Hemisphere citrus supply, further expanded its export period.
Nevertheless, South Africa may struggle to keep its leading position in 2026. Geopolitical conflicts have disrupted shipping routes and cast uncertainty over the Middle Eastern market, a key sales destination. Rising freight costs and delivery delays have already impacted local exporters.
In addition, retail price caps in some Gulf states make it harder to offset climbing logistics expenses. In 2025, the Middle East imported over 619,000 tons of South African citrus, accounting for more than 19% of its total exports. Amid growing global trade fluctuations, the sustainability of South Africa’s citrus export growth remains uncertain.
