The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has welcomed the new US tariff exemptions on citrus, which include South African oranges.

The Association says the country shipped 4.3 million 15kg cartons of oranges to the US during the 2025 season, which has concluded, adding that the new exemption is great news for the 2026 season, which starts around April next year.

CEO of the CGA, Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, says the exemption once again makes South African oranges competitive in the US market, a market that holds opportunities for increased exports and local job creation.

The 30% US tariffs on South African imports only came into effect in August this year, which was towards the end of South Africa’s 2025 season, and it therefore had a limited impact on citrus exports to the US, especially because growers were able to increase and fast-track shipments to the US before the tariff deadline.

“South Africa has been a partner to the US in citrus supply for many years. In their summer, when their own growers are out of season, we supply them with quality citrus. This keeps consumers in the category, ensuring stability and access to affordable imported fruit.”

Chairperson of the CGA, and himself a farmer in Citrusdal, Gerrit van der Merwe, says local citrus helps stabilise the American market.

“Supply steadiness is not a luxury, it is a vital hedge against volatility for the American citrus industry, and an example of how global trade benefits everyday American consumers. Citrus as a fresh, healthy product is also uniquely valuable. It helps keep American healthy.”

Van der Merwe says the announcement takes off the pressure on local farmers in the region.

Meanwhile, Ntshabele has called on the US to consider extending the current exemption to include soft citrus, such as mandarins, as applying tariffs on mandarins risks creating price spikes, supply shortages, and inflationary pressures.

Since 2017, citrus exports from South Africa to the US have almost doubled.

“We hope the trade negotiations currently taking place between South Africa and the US will take the immense value of all South African citrus varieties to the American consumer into account.”