The Citrus Growers' Association says it is difficult to predict if the local or other markets will absorb a potential market loss if Russian orders take a dip, as Russia is a major consumer of South African grapefruit.
Crop estimates for Mzansi's coming citrus harvests are promising, but outside forces are creating doubt about a smooth export run. One of these forces is the Russia-Ukraine war, which could affect grapefruit growers first.
According to the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA), an estimated 14.8 million cartons (17 kg each) of grapefruit will be ready to be exported this season. But with Russia being a major importer of the South African crop, the conflict could have a negative impact on this estimate.
If fuel and shipping costs continued to escalate, fruit that is sent for processing and Class 2 grapefruit will also not be exported, which will further reduce the final export total. Over the past two seasons, South African grapefruit have gone to Russia as well as the European Union, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, United States, Middle East, Canada, Korea, Southeast Asia, other European and Asian destinations, and a few countries in Africa.
Source: foodformzansi.co.za
