South Africa’s orange and orange juice (OJ) production are projected to increase in 2023–24 compared to the prior year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported recently.
ORANGES
Orange production for 2023–24 is forecast to increase to 1.69 million metric tons (MMT), from 1.63 MMT the prior year.
The South African area planted in oranges is expected to remain relatively unchanged at 42,990 hectares. Limpopo province is the leading orange-growing region in South Africa, accounting for 50% of total area, followed by the Eastern Cape (24%) and Western Cape (15%) provinces. Valencias account for two-thirds of total orange area, with navels accounting for the other third.
The orange export forecast is decreased by 12% from the prior year to 1.1 MMT. That’s in response to the expectation for smaller orange sizes leading to a decrease in cartons shipped to overseas markets. Growers are sending more of the crop for juicing due to a hike in prices for juice oranges.
South Africa exports oranges to more than 100 countries around the world. The European Union remains the largest export market, accounting for approximately 36% of orange exports.
South Africa’s orange imports are forecast to remain unchanged at 3,000 metric tons (MT) in 2023–24.
OJ
South African OJ production in 2023–24 is forecast at 58,800 MT, up from 36,900 MT the prior year.
South Africa’s growers produce oranges mainly for the fresh export market. However, some growers, particularly those in areas prone to hailstorm damage and other quality-degrading weather effects, produce oranges largely, and in some instances even solely, for processing.
OJ exports in 2023–24 are expected to improve by 14% over the prior year, to 47,000 MT. South Africa exports OJ mainly to countries in southern Africa, including Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. However, Europe also remains an important market for South African orange juice.
Imports of OJ will drop to around 800 MT in 2023–24, from 1,112 MT the prior year. Zimbabwe is the main supplier of OJ to South Africa.
See the full USDA FAS semi-annual report on South African citrus here.
Source: USDA FAS
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