# South African citrus import surge in the EU > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-african-citrus-import-surge-in-the-eu > Updated: 2026-08-18T06:13:00.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Agricultural organization La Unió Llauradora has called for Spanish and European Union intervention following a significant surge in citrus imports from South Africa. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food shows that EU imports of small citrus fruits from South Africa reached 169,904 tonnes for the 2025/26 campaign through July, marking a 117% increase over the last five campaigns. Orange shipments from South Africa have also risen to 324,983 tonnes, which is 6.3% above the average of the previous five campaigns. South Africa now accounts for approximately 38% of the EU’s non-community orange imports. In response to these trends and a decline in local production capacity—noting that the Valencian Community has lost 16,334 hectares of mandarin trees since 2015—the group is requesting that Spain ask the European Commission to evaluate the situation and potentially activate safeguard clauses within the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: South Africa secures expanded citrus market access in India India has approved new cold-treatment protocols for South African citrus, providing exporters with greater logistical flexibility and improved market access to one of the world's largest consumer bases. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-secures-expanded-citrus-market-access-in-india ### 2026-08-17: Citrus imports from South Africa surge 117%, prompting calls for EU safeguards La Unió Llauradora demands that Spanish and EU authorities activate safeguard clauses as South African small citrus imports have surged by 117% over five campaigns, threatening Valencian agriculture. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/citrus-imports-from-south-africa-surge-117-prompting-calls-for-eu-safeguards --- Cite as: South African citrus import surge in the EU. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-african-citrus-import-surge-in-the-eu