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South Africa’s citrus industry is facing a crisis as the Trump administration prepares to impose steep 30% tariffs on citrus imports, a move expected to threaten 35,000 jobs and devastate local economies, according to the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa.
The tariffs, due to take effect on Wednesday, could drive up prices for American consumers by $4.25 per carton of citrus and make South African exports less competitive. South Africa, the world’s second-largest exporter of oranges and fourth in soft citrus, sends around 6.5 million cartons—roughly 5–6% of its exports—to the US each year, primarily during the American off-season.
But it’s not just about export numbers. Entire rural towns like Citrusdal, near Cape Town, are built around citrus farming and rely heavily on the U.S. market. “There is immense anxiety in our communities,” said Gerrit van der Merwe, the association’s chair and a grower himself. “Some areas could face total economic collapse.”
The industry is calling on the South African government to urgently engage with U.S. officials to seek tariff exemptions or relief.
“Our citrus doesn’t compete with American produce,” said association CEO Boitshoko Ntshabele. “We supply fruit when U.S. growers are out of season, helping maintain market demand. When our season ends, U.S. producers step back in.”
The tariffs hit just as the season’s first shipments are being prepared. And this isn’t the only policy from the Trump administration straining ties. Recent U.S. aid cuts have impacted South Africa’s globally significant HIV/AIDS program, and earlier executive orders have halted other federal funds over allegations of mistreatment of white minority farmers—some of whom now face further economic setbacks due to the new tariffs.
For South Africa’s citrus industry, the coming days could determine the future of thousands of jobs—and the survival of entire towns.
