In a landmark shift for international agribusiness, South Africa has surpassed Spain as the world’s leading citrus exporter by volume, shipping a record 2.9 million metric tons abroad. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen described the achievement as a major milestone for the country’s farming sector, crediting consistent export growth and compliance with international plant health standards. Climate-related disruptions to Spanish production contributed to the shift, while South Africa’s counter-seasonal growing calendar—covering the Southern Hemisphere summer—gives it a structural advantage in supplying European, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets year-round. While South Africa now leads citrus exports, countries such as China and Brazil still dominate overall production because much of their fruit is consumed domestically. To sustain this momentum, Pretoria plans to intensify trade diplomacy and infrastructure upgrades.
Business Insider Africa
