Production of orange juice (OJ) in South Africa is estimated to rise by 6% to 33,120 metric tons (MT) in 2022–23, up from 31,320 MT in 2021–22. The estimate issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) is based on improved domestic orange production. In 2020–21, South Africa produced only an estimated 22,140 MT of OJ, but that volume surged from the previous year when strict lockdown measures had limited processing.
Concentrated OJ accounts for at least 90% of total OJ produced in the country. The citrus industry prioritizes the export of fresh citrus and only processes the fruit that does not meet export standards.
Industry statistics for OJ are largely unavailable in South Africa. The projected production levels represent USDA FAS estimates based on information derived from various sources, contacts and calculations of extractions from data regarding fresh oranges
delivered for processing.
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS
USDA FAS forecasts that 2022–23 exports of OJ will grow by 16% to 25,000 MT, up from an estimated 21,550 MT in 2021–22. South Africa exports OJ mainly to countries in southern Africa, including Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Europe also remains an important market for South African OJ.
Imports of OJ are projected to remain flat at around 1,000 MT in 2022–23. Zimbabwe is the main supplier of OJ to South Africa.
DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION
Domestic consumption of OJ will increase to 7,500 MT in 2022–23, up from 7,000 MT in 2021–22, based on improved production and supply availability.
See the full USDA FAS annual report on South African citrus here.
Source: USDA FAS
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