South African floods slow citrus harvest as disaster status takes effect
Heavy rainfall across Limpopo and Mpumalanga has disrupted citrus farming, damaged roads, and raised safety risks for rural communities as South Africa moves to national disaster control.
SOUTH AFRICA – Flooding from prolonged rain continues to disrupt citrus operations in parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, just as the harvest period draws closer.
Growers face blocked access roads, soaked orchards, and rising safety concerns as rivers swell and communities remain cut off.
Several key citrus areas have reported damage, including Maruleng, Ba Phalaborwa, Greater Tzaneen, Greater Letaba, Collins Chabane, and Greater Giyani. In Mpumalanga, growers in Nkomazi, Mbombela, and Bushbuckridge face similar conditions. Flooded roads near the Kruger National Park have also affected transport and logistics.
Agri Limpopo chief executive Deidre Carter said emergency teams have worked closely to reduce loss of life, but the situation remains serious. “In many areas, the floods are already exceeding the 100 year flood line, and small rivulets changed into rivers spanning 50m in the blink of an eye,” she said.
Rainfall figures show the scale of the impact. Phalaborwa recorded more than 700 mm of rain since 9 January, while Tzaneen and Letsitele received close to 400 mm in the past week. Carter said growers cannot enter many orchards due to standing water, while damaged roads limit access to farms and packhouses.
Harvest and farm operations delayed
In Mpumalanga, Agri Mpumalanga executive manager Robert Davel warned that soaked soils continue to weaken roads and power lines. Naomi Excell, chief executive of Agri Letaba, said damaged farm roads prevent workers from reaching orchards, which delays harvest planning.
Crop protection has also suffered. Pieter Vorster, director of Mahela Group, said growers cannot spray against citrus black spot because machinery cannot move through soaked fields. He added that pressure on irrigation dam walls has increased as soil remains saturated.
Carter urged farmers to report dams that show signs of failure. “Dams that collapse present additional risk in areas already flooded. If we know of these possibilities ahead of time, we will be able to evacuate people and animals at risk,” she said.
Disaster status and regional impact
On 18 January, South Africa declared a state of natural disaster following months of severe weather. Authorities reported loss of life, damage to homes and public works, school disruptions, and farm losses across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape, and North West. Mpumalanga recorded 20 deaths, while Limpopo reported 18.
The declaration places national government in charge of disaster response and requires all state bodies to support relief and recovery efforts.
Similar rainfall has affected Mozambique and Zimbabwe, where disaster agencies report more than 170 deaths combined since late last year. The events underline the region’s exposure to climate related shocks. An FAO report published in November 2025 showed Southern Africa lost 7.6 percent of its agricultural GDP between 1991 and 2023 due to weather related events.
For now, growers continue to support nearby communities where possible while waiting for water levels to fall. The South African Weather Service has kept its Red Level 10 warning in place, with more rain expected over the next two days.
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