CAPE TOWN - There are concerns that South African ports do not have enough juice to handle increased citrus exports this year.
In 2023, over 160 million cartons were sent off to 119 countries; this year, a bumper crop is expected.
Limpopo is the biggest producer of citrus fruit in South Africa followed by the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.
With the European Union being our main export destination South Africa sends to 119 countries.
The Middle East is South Africa’s biggest lemon destination, China, and Russia.
Western Cape Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer donated R2 million towards managing biosecurity to position itself in the EU market as a disease-free exporter of citrus.
While wanting to expand their exports, South African farmers have to compete with their counterparts worldwide who are subsidised by their governments.