The citrus production in South Africa has been increasing in the past few years, and Limpopo is the largest citrus producing area, accounting for 43 percent of the total area planted. Oranges are the biggest citrus type produced in South Africa, accounting for 53 percent of the citrus produced. The USDA notes, however, that the production of soft citrus as well as lemons and limes has seen a notable growth in the past years.
The USDA citrus annual report for South Africa states that the production and export of soft citrus, lemons and limes is expected to continue its strong growth in the 2019/20 MY, based on the increase in area planted, and high level of new-plantings coming into full production. Duty free exports of citrus to the United States under the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) are expected to continue their strong annual growth, as the United States is still considered a premium market.
The production of tangerines/mandarins is forecast to continue its growth and is expected to increase by 8 percent to 420,000 MT in the 2019/20 MY, from 390,000 MT in the 2018/19 MY. The 2018/19 MY production of tangerines/mandarins was revised upwards significantly based on final updated industry data and higher than expected production some growing regions that were previously impacted by the drought, the USDA states.
The report also states that the production of grapefruit is forecast to revert to normal production levels and increase by 8 percent to 420,000 MT in the 2019/20 MY, from 390,000 MT in the 2018/19 MY. This is based on normal weather conditions, continuation of the current good rainfall being received in the main growing areas, and increase in area planted.
The production of lemons/limes is forecast to continue its growth and is expected to increase by 6 percent to 530,000 MT in the 2019/20 MY, from 498,000 MT in the 2018/19 MY. This is based on the rise in area planted, and the high level of new-plantings in the past five years coming into full production, according to the report.
According to the report, the production of oranges is forecast to revert to normal production levels and increase by 4 percent to 1.56 million MT in the 2019/20 MY, from 1.50 million MT in the 2018/19 MY. The 2018/19 MY production of oranges was revised downwards to 1.50 million MT due to smaller fruit sizes caused by dry conditions in main growing regions.