South Africa climbs to second in citrus exports – but can it beat the fungal threat?

South Africa exported $1.85-billion worth of citrus, or 12% of the global total, in 2022, making it the world’s second-largest exporter.

But South Africa’s position in the market is being threatened by citrus black spot. This common fungal disease causes superficial blemishes on the skin of the fruit and spreads mostly through fruit-to-fruit contact and rain. Infected fruits are still safe for consumption.

The European Union has imposed legislative measures on fruit imported from South Africa, which include additional spray programmes and inspections. These will cost the country’s citrus farmers and market more money.

The government and the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa have raised a dispute with the EU at the World Trade Organisation over these measures, which they deem ‘unfounded’ and ‘excessively trade restrictive’.

The global citrus market was worth a reported $15.1-billion in 2022, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity.