Shingie Chisoro-Dube is a researcher at the Centre for Competition Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED), University of Johannesburg. Simon Roberts is professor at CCRED, University of Johannesburg, and visiting professor at the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose at University College London.
Citrus exports overtook wine as South Africa’s largest agricultural export in 2010 and grew to 2½ times the value of wine exports by 2020 (see graph). The growth in export earnings over the past decade has been driven by higher value “soft citrus” varieties along with lemons and limes, while the growth in the export of oranges was more important in earlier years. South Africa is genuinely a world leader, with improved home-grown varieties and smart agriculture techniques being applied in upgrading production.
Black SA citrus growers see 40% hike in production
By Given Majola
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DURBAN - BLACK South African citrus growers achieved a 40 percent increase in production during the 2019/20 season.
The Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA), with its Grower Development Company (GDC), said yesterday that several farms and black growers had increased output by more than 40 000 cartons, with one black grower increasing production by 99 000 cartons in one year.
The CGA-GDC’s general manager, Lukhanyo Nkombisa, said these successes were testament to the groundwork that had been laid over the past decade. “The citrus industry has spent over 10 years creating structures such as the Citrus Grower Development Chamber (CGDC) to assist, guide and advise the CGA-GDC on the needs of black citrus growers so that the GDC may provide them with the support they need to thrive.
Marked increase in pomegranate demand, but logistics are challenging
The South African pomegranate season has, in the Western Cape where 72% of South Africa’s production is based, moved from the early Herskovits to the Wonderful harvest. Yields are up after the ideal growing conditions that have been so beneficial for the Cape’s other fruit crops, and industry body POMASA is hoping it carries through to the Wonderful crop whose harvest started at the end of last week and will run into early next month.
There have been a lot of enquiries from Northern clients into class 1 fresh fruit to fill the supply gap.
The Citrus Growers Association (CGA), with its Grower Development Company (GDC), is proud to announce that black citrus growers have achieved a 40% increase in production during the 2019-2020…
December 14, 2020
New citrus export levy sees R1bn invested into sector: Source: BizzCommunity
The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has welcomed the gazetting of the new statutory export citrus levy by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza.
The new levy will be funded by around 1,250 citrus growers over the next four years (from 2021 to 2024) and will ensure both the long-term competitiveness of the citrus industry as well as the sustainable growth of black-citrus enterprises within the sector.
A key funding area is ensuring greater transformation within the industry. 20% of the new levy will be allocated to the development of black citrus growers and their meaningful and lasting participation in the sector.