KEY POINTS
- South African citrus farmers report isolated diesel shortages ahead of the April export season, raising fears of logistics disruptions.
- The industry relies on road transport for 95% of exports, making it highly vulnerable to fuel supply constraints and rising prices.
- Agricultural groups are seeking temporary fuel levy exemptions to cushion the impact of expected fuel price increases.
South African citrus farmers have raised concerns over isolated diesel shortages ahead of the country’s critical export season, warning that supply constraints and rising fuel prices could disrupt logistics beginning in April.
The alert was issued by the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa, which said some farmers and transport operators have experienced limited diesel availability at select filling stations.
The situation comes as the industry prepares for a scheduled fuel price increase and heightened volatility in global energy markets.
Although South Africa’s Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has assured that national fuel supplies remain stable in the short term, growers say unusual buying patterns and controlled allocations by fuel suppliers have already begun affecting access in certain areas.
The Citrus industry is vulnerable to fuel disruptions
The citrus industry is particularly vulnerable to fuel disruptions because of its heavy dependence on road transport.
About 95% of South Africa’s citrus exports are transported by trucks from farms to ports, making consistent diesel supply critical for harvesting, packaging, and shipping operations.
“While official assurances indicate that national supply remains stable, industry participants have reported limited diesel availability at certain stations,” the growers’ body said, noting that persistent shortages could directly affect the citrus supply chain.
South Africa is the world’s second-largest citrus exporter after Spain, and the industry has recorded strong growth in recent years. In 2025, the country exported a record 3.05 million metric tons of citrus, representing a 22% increase compared with the previous year.
The Middle East remains a key destination for South African citrus, ranking as the second-largest export market after Europe. The region accounted for about 19% of total shipments in 2024, highlighting the importance of maintaining uninterrupted logistics during the export window.
Global energy market uncertainty, partly linked to conflict in the Middle East, has unsettled shipping and transport costs, further compounding industry concerns. Growers fear that any sustained diesel shortages or controlled fuel sales could slow truck movements to ports and delay exports.
To cushion the expected impact of higher fuel costs, major agricultural lobby groups have proposed temporary relief measures, including exemptions from fuel levies for primary producers such as farmers. The industry says such interventions would help stabilize operations during the peak export season.
