Let’s Talk Exports – Citrus farming: A lifeline for the Eastern Cape
The citrus industry plays a very important role in the Eastern Cape. When people talk about agriculture in the province, citrus farming is often one of the first things that comes to mind. From oranges and lemons to soft citrus like naartjies and mandarins, this industry has become a key driver of economic activity and employment in the region.
In fact, the Eastern Cape is the second-largest citrus producing province in South Africa and contributes around 27% of the country’s total citrus production. Large citrus-growing areas such as the Sundays River Valley, Patensie, and the Kat River Valley play a major role in this production. These regions have ideal climates for citrus farming, which allows farmers to produce high-quality fruit that can compete in international markets. The Eastern Cape is also responsible for about 60% of South Africa’s lemons, 30% of soft citrus and 26% of exported oranges, showing how significant the province is to the national industry.
However, for many communities, especially in rural areas, citrus farming is not just about producing fruit. It is about creating opportunities and supporting livelihoods. Citrus farming requires many workers for planting, maintaining orchards, harvesting fruit and packaging it for export. To quote Mitchell Brooke of the Citrus Growers’ Association of South Africa: “The Eastern Cape accounts for a quarter of SA’s citrus exports. Over 25 000 hectares of citrus are under cultivation. This provides approximately 35 000 jobs in the Eastern Cape on farm-level alone – not including the down-chain employment in logistics and other sectors.”
The citrus industry also contributes to South Africa’s global trade. South Africa is currently the second-largest exporter of citrus fruit in the world, and citrus exports have grown significantly in the past decade. “South African citrus is well-known in international markets for its quality and taste,” Mitchell shares. “As a source of foreign income, the entire South African citrus industry brings in about R42 billion in foreign revenue each year.”
However, the industry also faces several challenges, from water shortages and rising production costs to global trade barriers and logistics. “We need improved market access, whether through tariff reductions in certain markets or through improved scientific plant health; and we need greater urgency and scale on private sector participation in logistics. Our input costs are also likely to increase, which places pressure on agricultural producers.”
Exporters Eastern Cape has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Eastern Cape’s citrus industry. Our Strategic Manager Samantha Dunlop shares: “Through initiatives such as coordinated planning sessions, data-sharing frameworks, and industry workshops, Exporters EC helps improve visibility on volumes, equipment availability, and port readiness—critical factors during peak citrus season. The province is further supported by world-class infrastructure, including modern port facilities, efficient road networks, and specialised cold chain capacity, enabling citrus to move swiftly from orchard to international markets. The organisation also advocates for improved port performance, increased reefer capacity, and streamlined processes with Transnet, ensuring that exporters can move perishable cargo efficiently to global markets.”
The citrus industry is more than just a farming activity in the Eastern Cape. It is a foundation for economic development in the region. It creates thousands of jobs, supports rural communities and connects the province to international markets. As long as the industry continues to grow and receive the right support, it will remain a vital part of the Eastern Cape’s future – and we as Exporters Eastern Cape will continue providing that support.
By Quintin Levey, Exporters Eastern Cape Chairman
