The Southern African citrus industry has concluded a landmark 2025 Valencia season, characterised by volumes that significantly outperformed initial forecasts but placed unprecedented pressure on the region’s logistical backbone. According to the latest “From the Desk of the CEO” newsletter from the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA), final Valencia exports reached approximately 61.8 million cartons (15kg equivalent), a stark contrast to the initial April estimate of 52 million.
Drivers of the Surge
CGA CEO Dr. Boitshoko Ntshabele attributed this “surprising abundance” to a combination of favourable agronomic conditions and strategic packing shifts. “The 2025 season ultimately confirmed a substantial increase in the Valencia crop, driven by excellent growing conditions and strong pack-outs,” Dr. Ntshabele noted.
Key production regions played a pivotal role:
Letsitele: The largest producing region saw early colour development, allowing for a faster start to the packing season.
Limpopo River: Reported exceptional fruit size and colour quality.
Eastern and Western Cape: Both regions delivered record volumes, with favourable conditions supporting high yields.
Botswana: Marked a historic milestone by packing its first-ever commercial Valencia crop.
A notable trend this season was the increased volume of Processing Grade (PP) fruit. Driven by favourable international prices compared to local juice markets, PP fruit accounted for 12% of the total Valencia export volume.
Market Performance and Logistical Strain
Global markets absorbed the record volumes, with Europe maintaining its position as the top destination at 20 million cartons. However, the most dramatic growth occurred in other regions:
- Middle East: Exports surged from 6.9 million to 10.4 million cartons.
- Asia: Volumes reached 6.1 million cartons, up from 3.8 million the previous year.
- Russia: Shipments grew to 5.7 million cartons.
While the volume growth is a boon for foreign currency earnings, it has not been without cost. Dr. Ntshabele emphasised that the sheer scale of the 2025 crop “placed considerable pressure on both the market and logistical infrastructure throughout the export period.”
Looking Ahead: 2026 Roadshows
As the industry reflects on a record-breaking year—totalling 203.4 million cartons across all citrus varieties—focus now shifts to the 2026 season. Dr. Ntshabele has announced a series of regional roadshows scheduled for February and March 2026 to discuss these results and prepare for upcoming challenges, including rising input costs and shifting market access regulations.
The roadshows will kick off on 16 February in Burgersfort and Groblersdal, travelling through Hoedspruit, Letsitele, and the Limpopo River regions before concluding in the Cape and KZN in March. Stakeholders are encouraged to RSVP to the CGA to participate in these critical planning sessions.