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SA’s citrus export season delivers strong growth amid improvements at Transnet ports

TRADE

Siphelele Dludla|Published

. South Africa, the world’s second-largest citrus exporter after Spain, shipped produce to more than 100 international markets, with the European Union and Middle East remaining key destinations.

Image: Supplied

South Africa’s citrus export season has wrapped up on a high note, with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) reporting a 19% year-on-year increase in export volumes handled across the country’s ports.

According to TPT on Monday, the Durban Multipurpose Terminal recorded the most impressive growth, moving 131.6% more citrus than in 2024. The Ngqura Container Terminal saw a 35% rise, while both the Cape Town and Durban Container Terminals also posted double-digit increases of 27.4% and 28.8%, respectively.

Michelle van Buren Schele, TPT’s general manager for commercial and planning, described the 2025 citrus season as “a remarkable achievement,” and thanked all those that have made this possible.

“This year has been a remarkable achievement – and this is attributed to a bumper crop season, much improved terminal operational performance, and strong communication, teamwork and collaboration with customers and stakeholders,” she said.

TPT’s R3.4 billion investment in new equipment last financial year—ranging from straddle carriers and gantry cranes to trailers and haulers—has been instrumental in boosting port efficiency. A further R4bn investment programme is now underway to strengthen capacity across five terminals.

The Citrus Growers Association said the season benefited from both new orchards and better-quality fruit produced under protective nets. South Africa, the world’s second-largest citrus exporter after Spain, shipped produce to more than 100 international markets, with the European Union and Middle East remaining key destinations.

South Africa’s agricultural exports to the United States surged by 26% in the second quarter of 2025, reaching $161 million (R2.7bn), despite ongoing concerns over potential tariff hikes and market access.

Data from the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) last week showed that the increase was driven largely by citrus, wine, fruit juices, and nuts—products that traditionally dominate South Africa’s shipments to the US.

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