In a time marked by uncertainty, South Africa's citrus industry stands on the brink of significant growth. This crucial message found its platform during the 5th Citrus Summit held by the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) in Gqeberha from 11 to 13 March, where industry leaders gathered to confront challenges and seize emerging opportunities.

The summit commenced with an inspiring keynote address from Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, who underscored the citrus sector as a beacon of success in South Africa's agricultural narrative. He remarked, “South Africa’s citrus industry is one of the success stories of our country,” and emphasised its vital role in job creation within rural communities—where employment is most crucial.

However, Steenhuisen also sounded a warning over the potential loss of the American Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which facilitates the export of South African citrus to the United States. He expressed concern that the termination of AGOA would risk thousands of jobs and disrupt the intricate citrus supply chain. “I urge all stakeholders to prioritise the renewal of AGOA, or at least trade tariffs and agreements that will allow us to keep our excellent citrus products flowing to the markets that love them so much,” he added. He further encouraged exploration of new markets, particularly in Asia, the Middle East, and India, as paths to sustainable growth.

Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, the incoming CEO of CGA, aligned with Steenhuisen, stressing that the industry harbours untapped potential. “Increased market access is crucial. Projections show the industry can create 100,000 jobs by 2032. It can do this by ramping up exports from roughly 95 million 15kg cartons to a staggering 260 million cartons,” he predicted, painting a vivid picture of the industry's future.

Adding to the dialogue, Michelle Phillips, Group CEO of Transnet, highlighted critical advancements in logistics, particularly concerning the rail system and ports. “The rail network is now open for private train operators,” she announced, mining optimism in public sector collaboration that aims to make the logistical landscape more competitive. “We will see the system become more competitive,” she affirmed, insisting that this season must eclipse the success of the previous one.

Logistics expert Thomas Eskesen raised concerns regarding the inefficiencies lingering in the port system, which a recent Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) study estimated costs at R5.27 billion annually—an assessment he contends is likely a conservative figure.

Shifting the focus to the global landscape, Eric Imbert from the French agricultural research centre CIRAD acknowledged South Africa's capacity to adapt amid challenging trade conditions. He noted, “South Africa has a relatively diversified market, innovative research capability, a large and fast-evolving variety range, and a strong industry organisation with significant capacity.”

Technological advancements were also a significant theme of the summit. Anya Jaworski, Business Intelligence Manager at SAFRESCO, showcased innovative applications of artificial intelligence in tracking citrus supply to Europe. Her model, which provides seasonal predictions, serves as a vital tool in maintaining equilibrium between supply and demand.

“When times are in flux, a comprehensive summit that brings together all stakeholders is not just beneficial, it's essential. We navigate the hurdles together,” stated Justin Chadwick, the outgoing CEO who has led the CGA for 25 years, acknowledging the importance of collaboration.

As Dr Ntshabele reiterated the call for concerted effort amid changing tides, he made it clear: the citrus sector can become South Africa's largest agricultural export industry. “Citrus can be a driver of massive economic growth and rural development. But for this to happen, everybody along the supply chain—whether they are in the orchard, or at the port, or in the boardroom—must be aligned. With this in mind, we look forward to starting the 2025 season," he concluded.

South Africa’s citrus industry is on the cusp of transformation, poised to thrive amidst challenges. Discover insights from the latest Citrus Summit that may reshape the agricultural landscape and unlock new opportunities for growth.

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South African citrus industry poised for growth despite challenges