The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) hosted its highly anticipated 2025 Citrus Summit in Gqeberha on 12–13 March 2025, bringing together over 700 industry leaders, growers, policymakers, and logistics experts to discuss the future of South Africa’s most valuable agricultural export. Under the theme “Tough times don’t last, tough people do,” the summit tackled economic, political, and logistical challenges, while focusing on opportunities for growth in global citrus markets. This year’s summit was particularly significant as it marked the final Congress for long-serving CEO Justin Chadwick, who will retire at the end of March 2025 after 25 years of transformative leadership. Chadwick, regarded as a driving force behind South Africa’s rise as a global citrus powerhouse, was honoured throughout the event for his visionary leadership and relentless industry advocacy. His legacy shaped much of the discussion—a testament to his profound impact on the industry.
Political and Economic Realities
The summit opened with Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, praising citrus as a pillar of rural development and job creation, but warning of risks if the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which facilitates exports to the U.S., is not renewed. Steenhuisen emphasised the need for urgent diplomatic efforts and expanding into new markets in Asia, the Middle East, and India. Frans Cronje addressed South Africa’s prospects to 2029, warning of internal challenges like energy constraints and governance issues, and urging the citrus industry to prepare for global geopolitical shifts that could disrupt trade. Economist Dawie Roodt offered a sobering view of economic headwinds, including currency volatility and inflation, calling for financial resilience and pragmatic planning for the industry to remain competitive.
Market Diversification and Logistics Bottlenecks
Marcos Fava Neves, a leading international agribusiness expert, urged the industry to diversify beyond traditional markets like the EU and USA, highlighting Asia and the Middle East as key growth areas. Eric Imbert (CIRAD) reinforced this need, citing increasing global competition from countries like Egypt and Morocco. Logistics remains a major concern. Michelle Phillips, CEO of Transnet, outlined R3.4 billion in terminal upgrades and the opening of rail networks to private operators, with another R4 billion in investments planned. Thomas Eskesen, a global logistics expert, warned that port inefficiencies cost the citrus sector over R5 billion annually, calling for bold reforms and stronger private-public cooperation.
Technology and Innovation
Anya Jaworski from SAFRESCO demonstrated how AI and predictive modelling can enhance citrus supply chain management, especially in meeting European market demands amid seasonal fluctuations. She stressed the importance of technology in future-proofing South Africa’s citrus competitiveness.
A Vision for Growth
Incoming CGA CEO Dr. Boitshoko Ntshabele presented a bold growth strategy, targeting an increase in production from 95 million to 260 million cartons and the creation of 100,000 new jobs by 2032, supported by initiatives like Vision 260 to ensure greater participation of black farmers.
A Legacy and a Future
The CGA 2025 Summit was a pivotal moment for South Africa’s citrus industry, showcasing resilience and determination to face future challenges. While navigating serious headwinds, the industry is ready to embrace innovation, build partnerships, and secure new markets. As the summit concluded, Justin Chadwick’s name remained central, not just for his farewell, but for a legacy that continues to guide the industry forward.