South Africa concludes 2025 citrus export season with strong growth in deliveries to Russia

South Africa’s 2025 citrus export season has officially concluded, as reported by the Russia-South Africa Business Council, a partner of TV BRICS. 

South Africa remains one of Russia’s leading suppliers of fresh fruit, alongside Egypt. Owing to complementary harvesting seasons and South Africa’s varied climatic zones, these imports do not compete with Russian domestic production. Instead, they ensure that consumers across the Russian Federation have year-round access to fruit.

Citrus – unproduced in Russia – accounts for a major share of these deliveries. South African oranges, grapefruits, lemons and mandarins cover at least one-third of Russia’s total citrus demand.

The 2025 season recorded particularly strong results, with shipments nearing 350,000 tonnes, representing a 25 per cent increase compared with 2024. The assortment of South African fruit on the Russian market has also expanded to include apples, pears, peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, grapes, blueberries, and avocados.

Despite the long transport distance, South African produce remains competitive in Russian retail outlets. According to the Russia-South Africa Business Council, this reflects an efficient supply chain supported by refrigerated vessels and modern container services linking the two countries.

Fresh fruit trade constitutes nearly half of South Africa’s total exports to Russia. More than 100 companies participate in this supply chain, including growers represented by the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA) and exporters. Their products are distributed nationwide in Russia through long-standing local partners.

Looking ahead to 2026, South African growers plan to deepen cooperation with Russian importers and regulatory agencies, prioritising improvements in cold chain integrity, expanding technical exchanges and diversifying citrus and subtropical offerings for the Russian market.

The Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa is also preparing to strengthen its engagement with the Eurasian Economic Council, with discussions expected to support streamlined certification processes, better alignment of technical standards, and improved transparency for both sides.

Photo: JackF / iStock