South African lemon exports jump to 41.5M cartons
Producers report stronger crops after early weather concerns.
SOUTH AFRICA – South African lemon growers closed the 2025 season on a strong note as export volumes rose far above early expectations.
The industry shipped 41.5 million cartons, a result that surprised many growers who feared losses after frost and hail hit key regions before harvest.
The Citrus Growers Association said the season began with low expectations because of harsh weather in several leading lemon regions. “The initial consolidated estimate in March was 32.9mn cartons,” the association stated. Farmers later welcomed improved fruit size, which supported higher final volumes.
The Sundays River Valley region led the season. Growers there packed 17.1 million cartons, which stood 30 percent above the original estimate. Farms in the Senwes region also delivered strong output and packed 44 percent more fruit than forecast.
Growers dealt with picking and packing delays early in the season, but harvest flows gained momentum as the second and third crop sets came in. Weekly packing levels reached between 2 million and 2.6 million cartons during the busy period.
The association said young orchards helped push production higher. “Young orchards continue contributing to increased production – with 31 per cent of the total hectares now between six to ten years old, and 15 per cent between one to five years old,” the group noted. The industry also reported a 12 percent rise in processing grade fruit packed for export.
Markets hold firm as demand increases
Europe kept its lead as the top buyer of Southern African lemons and received 16.4 million cartons. Demand in the Middle East climbed from 11 million cartons in 2024 to 12.8 million in 2025. Russia bought 2.9 million cartons, up from 2.7 million cartons last year.
Shipments to Southeast Asia recorded the sharpest rise. Buyers there took 2.4 million cartons compared with 1.3 million cartons in 2024. Traders say buyers in that region continue to show strong interest in Southern African fruit.
Growers view the outcome of the 2025 campaign as encouraging. Many producers say they plan to continue expanding young orchards because the stronger fruit size seen this year signals healthy trees and good prospects for future crop sets.
The association added that steady demand in major markets gives farmers confidence as they prepare for the next season.
Exporters also note that the market handled the higher supply well. Prices stayed stable in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Traders say this stability supported grower earnings and helped offset the higher operating costs that many farms faced during the season.
Producers now look toward 2026 with hopes of maintaining similar production levels if weather risks stay mild. They believe the lessons from this year will guide better planning across all regions and help the sector keep growing.
Be the first to leave a comment