Photo by Bill Castle, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
South African grapefruit production is expected to rise slightly in 2024–25. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) is forecasting a 1% increase from the prior year to 425,000 metric tons (MT).
PLANTINGS
Grapefruit acreage in South Africa has been shrinking since 2020–21, reflecting a downward trend in global consumption. The area planted in 2024–25 will likely decrease to 7,900 hectares, down 1% from the prior year. Growers have been limiting new plantings and uprooting old trees.
Limpopo province is the leading region for grapefruit production in South Africa, accounting for 56% of total area planted. Limpopo is followed by Mpumalanga (20%), KwaZulu-Natal (10%) and Northern Cape (6%) provinces.
Star Ruby is the predominant cultivar planted, accounting for 88% of total area. Other grapefruit cultivars planted in South Africa include Marsh, Fe 1 (Jackson), Pomelit, Rose and RedHeart.
PROCESSING
The industry has reported improved prices for processing grapefruit since 2023, leading USDA FAS to forecast that grapefruit sold for processing will increase by 2% in 2024–25, to 211,000 MT. The majority of South Africa’s juice and concentrate is exported to Europe.
TRADE
South Africa is expected to increase its grapefruit exports by 1% in 2024–25, to 215,000 MT, based on the minimal improvement in production. Major export markets for South Africa include the Netherlands, China, Russia and Japan. South Africa is forecast to export record grapefruit volumes of 11,100 MT to the United States in 2023–24.
South Africa is not a major importer of grapefruit since supply far exceeds domestic demand. Imports mainly originate from Eswatini to fill the small demand gap toward the end of the season. Imports are forecast to decrease to 3,200 MT in 2024–25, from 3,300 MT the prior year.
See the full USDA FAS report on South African citrus production here.
Source: USDA FAS
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