South African citrus exporters face U.S. tariff uncertainty

South African citrus exporters are facing trade uncertainty following the imposition of a 12.5% tariff by the United States on several South African imports. While the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) until 2028, industry representatives noted that the extension is shorter than the 15-year term sought by the country.

Citrus is one of South Africa’s largest agricultural exports under Agoa by value. Although the U.S. market accounts for approximately 5% of South African citrus exports, it remains a vital destination for producers in the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces. Jana Janse van Rensburg, market access liaison for the CGA, emphasized that maintaining these long-standing buyer relationships and shelf space is critical, as they are difficult to rebuild once lost.

Industry experts warned that continued uncertainty regarding market access and phytosanitary requirements could impact long-term investment decisions, such as orchard expansions. The CGA is calling for diplomatic discussions to address the 12.5% tariff and is encouraging the government to work toward more stable bilateral trade arrangements to ensure predictable market access.