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Citrus imports from South Africa surge 117%, prompting calls for EU safeguards
The agricultural organization La Unió Llauradora is calling on Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo and Valencian Agriculture Minister Miguel Barrachina to take action against the surge of citrus imports from South Africa. The group is requesting that Spain formally ask the European Commission to evaluate the situation and potentially activate the safeguard clause established in the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement.
Official data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food indicates that EU imports of small citrus fruits from South Africa have reached 169,904 tonnes for the 2025/26 campaign through July. This represents a 117% increase over the last five campaigns and is 55.2% higher than the average of the previous five years.
Regarding oranges, South African shipments currently stand at 324,983 tonnes, which is 6.3% above the average of the previous five campaigns. South Africa currently accounts for approximately 38% of the EU's non-community orange imports. La Unió expressed concern over this commercial trend occurring alongside a decline in Valencian production capacity, noting that the Valencian Community has lost 16,334 hectares of mandarin trees since 2015.
Entities
Carlos Cuerpo · European Commission · La Unió Llauradora · Miguel Barrachina · South Africa
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] South Africa accounts for approximately 38% of the EU's non-community orange imports during the current campaign. www.agroclm.com · noticiesdigitals.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Valencian Community has lost 16,334 hectares of mandarin trees since 2015. noticiesdigitals.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] La Unió Llauradora is demanding action from Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo and Valencian Agriculture Minister Miguel Barrachina regarding citrus imports. www.agroclm.com · noticiesdigitals.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] EU imports of small citrus fruits from South Africa reached 169,904 tonnes in the 2025/26 campaign up to July. www.agroclm.com · noticiesdigitals.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The organization is calling for Spain to request the European Commission to activate the safeguard clause in the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement. www.agroclm.com · noticiesdigitals.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Small citrus imports from South Africa have increased by 117% over five campaigns. www.agroclm.com · noticiesdigitals.com