It has been a bumper year for the producer as the latest statistics have shown that production rose from approximately 5,000 tons in the first season to 22,000 metric tons in the second season. Addressing Parliamentarians recently, the Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Tiroeaone Ntsima, said the bulk of 2025's harvest has been successfully exported to key international markets, including the European Union, the Middle East, Canada, and South Africa.
SPC, which is one of Botswana's largest agricultural investments, currently produces a variety of citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, grapefruit, and naartjies, expanding Botswana's footprint in global agricultural trade. "Since its inception, the project has attracted more than P200 million (US$14.25 million) in foreign direct investment, while total investment now stands at P491 million (US$35 million)," he said.
Beyond its direct economic contribution, SPC continues to stimulate growth in related sectors, supporting industries involved in input supply, transport, logistics, and other critical services. Employment has also risen steadily, with the farm currently employing 405 people, with staffing increasing to 734 during peak harvesting periods. The company's leadership structure includes 16 managerial positions, eight of which are held by Botswana and the remaining eight by South Africans.
Once the project reaches full production, it has the potential to create up to 1,500 jobs, offering a boost to the local labour market. SPC is owned by Citrico Global, a major European agricultural conglomerate that operates more than 30,000 hectares worldwide and distributes over one million tons of produce to more than 70 countries each year. Citrico Global initially injected US$12 million to support the development of SPC's second large-scale citrus farm, designed to mirror the success of its existing operations.
Source: Mmegi Online
