Increased global demand for citrus bodes well for 2020 exports – growers association

JOHANNESBURG – Demand for lemons from overseas markets has doubled so far this year compared with the same period in 2019, with 4.5 million cartons having been shipped to date, the Citrus Growers Association Of Southern Africa said on Monday.

It however warned that the Covid-19 global pandemic, which has forced South Africa, like numerous other countries around the world, to enforce a lockdown to try and arrest the spread of the virus, could threaten business continuity.

In a statement, the association’s chief executive Justin Chadwick said the lemon shipments so far this year were in comparison with 1.8 million cartons over the same period in 2019, with 64 percent going to the Middle East, while Russian shipments had increased from nine percent to 12 percent.

Shipping of soft citrus, at 424,000 cartons to date, as well as grapefruit at 411,000 cartons, were similar to the previous year’s exports at this time.

“As South Africa moves into its fourth week of a national lockdown, the citrus industry continues to focus on ensuring consumers have access to fresh citrus fruit while safeguarding the health of its workers,” Chadwick said.

Source: iol.co.za