In a significant milestone for international trade, the first batch of South African lemons for the 2025 season has arrived in India. Delivered by FruitOne, a prominent South African citrus cultivation and export company, the shipment was received at Jawaharlal Nehru Port, marking a pivotal moment in the burgeoning citrus trade between the two nations.
Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA), expressed enthusiasm about this development, stating, “We are delighted to announce the arrival of the first shipment of South African lemons in India for the season. This shipment signifies the strong trade relationship between South Africa and India. It starts the season and hopefully also starts an era of increased exports and opportunities for our two countries.”
India’s vast population and expanding middle class present a lucrative market for South African citrus. Leardt van der Burgh, Head of Commercial at FruitOne, emphasized the importance of this venture: “India, just because of its sheer population size and its growing middle-class, is important to South African fruit’s future. The FruitOne brand is known in India, and it is important for us to supply the whole citrus basket to this market. Adding lemons to this basket in 2025 is a big step forward in this regard.”
The shipment, consisting of 1,600 cartons of lemons transported aboard the vessel Navios Verde, was welcomed by importers IG International. This arrival is timely as South Africa continues to strengthen its citrus export sector, supplying oranges, mandarins, and grapefruit to India, particularly during months when India’s domestic production is low.
Sachin Khurana, the CGA’s trade representative in India, highlighted the appeal of South African citrus: “In India, there is a noticeable appreciation of South African citrus and its juiciness, vibrant colour, and fresh flavour. For five months of the year – when the produce of India’s own citrus growers is out of season, South Africa sustains Indian consumers.”
Challenges in Trade Growth
Despite the promising growth, challenges remain. Citrus exports to India have nearly tripled since 2020, reaching 30,000 tonnes. However, a steep citrus import tariff of 30% poses a significant barrier. Ntshabele expressed optimism that ongoing trade discussions between the two nations could lead to progress on this issue. Addressing these tariffs is crucial for enhancing the competitiveness of South African citrus in the Indian market.
The CGA has set an ambitious goal of exporting 260 million 15kg cartons of citrus by 2032, a move that could create approximately 100,000 additional jobs and provide a substantial boost to the economy. A delegation of CGA representatives is scheduled to travel to India next week as part of Fruit SA’s efforts to strengthen trade relations. The team will engage with Indian government officials, representatives of the South African High Commission, and attend Fresh Produce India in Mumbai, a key industry event.
Industry Outlook
While the industry faces logistical and regulatory hurdles, there are signs of progress. The CGA acknowledges improvements made by Transnet in terms of equipment acquisitions at ports but emphasizes that long-term efficiency requires structural change. A recent study by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy found that inefficient logistics cost the citrus industry R5.27 billion (US$288 million) per year.
The 2025 lemon season is projected to meet global demand, with an estimated 32.9 million cartons set for export. While overall export volumes are slightly lower than last year, the market outlook remains stable. Industry leaders are hopeful that continued trade expansion and improvements in infrastructure will support long-term growth, benefiting both South African producers and Indian consumers.
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