Despite the many industries coming to complete stand-still due to worldwide covid-19 lockdowns, South Africa’s citrus producers had a bumper-year, seeing a marked increase in exports to overseas markets.

The Citrus Growers Association says exports to European countries this year grew to 177,000 tons, 68,000 tons higher than the 109,000 tons exported in 2019.

CEO at the Association, Justin Chadwick, says exports to the US-market more than doubled this year.

Chadwick says the covid-19 pandemic seems to have fueled the demand for citrus.