Citrus industry warns of economic devastation in rural towns as U.S. imposes steep tariffs on South African fruit exports.
The Trump administration’s latest trade move—a 30% tariff on citrus imports from South Africa—could cost the country up to 35,000 jobs and destabilize entire rural economies, according to the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa. With the tariffs set to take effect Wednesday, just as the harvest season begins, farmers and communities warn of a looming economic crisis.
South Africa’s citrus industry, the country’s largest agricultural export sector, is bracing for a severe blow as the United States prepares to implement reciprocal tariffs on fruit imports. The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) stated Tuesday that the tariffs, introduced by the Trump administration as part of a broader trade dispute, threaten to derail an industry that not only supplies U.S. consumers with off-season fruit but also supports tens of thousands of livelihoods back home.
“These tariffs are deeply damaging to a sector that is critical to the rural economy,” said CGA Chairperson Gerrit van der Merwe, a prominent citrus farmer near Citrusdal, a small town in the Western Cape. “There is immense anxiety in our communities. Jobs are on the line, and in some areas, it could mean total economic collapse.”
The 30% levy is expected to increase the cost of South African citrus by approximately $4.25 per carton for American buyers, making it significantly less competitive in a key export market. The CGA emphasized that citrus exports to the U.S. are essential to the South African agricultural calendar, providing income and employment during the months when local U.S. citrus is out of season.
Export Reliance and Economic Risk
South Africa is the world’s second-largest orange exporter after Spain and the fourth-largest exporter of soft citrus, such as mandarins and clementines, according to the World Citrus Organization. The United States currently receives between 5% and 6% of South Africa’s citrus exports—amounting to over 6.5 million cartons annually.
However, that modest share belies its significance. Some South African towns, such as Citrusdal, are built almost entirely around the citrus trade with the U.S., with infrastructure, labor, and logistics all tailored to service that seasonal demand. The CGA has warned that a sudden disruption could devastate these local economies, many of which lack alternative industries or employment options.
“The livelihoods of farmworkers, packhouse employees, and logistics providers all hang in the balance,” van der Merwe said. “Entire communities depend on this trade. Without swift intervention, the knock-on effects will be widespread and long-lasting.”
Timing Couldn’t Be Worse
The timing of the tariff implementation compounds the problem. According to the CGA, the duties come into effect during the very week that South African growers begin packing the first citrus shipments bound for the U.S. market.
“This couldn’t have come at a worse time,” said Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association. “We are appealing to the South African government to urgently intervene and initiate negotiations with the U.S. to secure tariff relief or exemptions for our citrus exports.”
Ntshabele added that South African citrus growers do not directly compete with American producers, and instead complement the U.S. market by filling seasonal gaps.
“Citrus is not produced in a factory,” she said. “We provide a high-quality product during months when U.S. citrus is not available. Our exports maintain consumer interest in citrus year-round and eventually benefit American growers when the seasons shift.”
A Broader Pattern of Tension
The citrus tariffs are the latest in a string of policy moves by former U.S. President Donald Trump that have strained relations between Washington and Pretoria. Though no longer in office, Trump has continued to exert influence over Republican trade policy, and many expect his tariffs to remain in place if he returns to the presidency in the upcoming election.
During his administration, Trump drastically cut U.S. foreign aid to South Africa, including major funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). South Africa hosts the world’s largest HIV/AIDS treatment program, serving over 5.5 million people. The aid cuts disrupted services and forced the South African government to shoulder greater costs.
Trump also signed an executive order halting federal support to South Africa over what he claimed was discrimination against white minority farmers. Ironically, many of those farmers could now face further financial hardship under the newly imposed citrus tariffs.
Calls for Diplomatic Action
Industry leaders are now calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government to prioritize discussions with Washington and protect what they describe as a “strategic agricultural relationship.” The CGA has proposed a sector-specific exemption or reduction in duties, arguing that citrus should not be caught in the crossfire of broader trade disputes.
Trade economists warn that failure to secure relief could have ripple effects across the region. “When a major export market closes overnight, the impact is not limited to farmers,” said Dr. Tandi Maseko, an agricultural trade expert at the University of Pretoria. “You see rising unemployment, food insecurity, and pressure on local governments to provide support in areas where the private sector used to sustain jobs.”
An Uncertain Future
For now, growers like van der Merwe are preparing for a challenging season. “We’re trying to stay hopeful, but it’s hard when the ground keeps shifting beneath your feet,” he said. “We need stability. We need fair trade conditions. And we need them now.”
As citrus season begins, the next few weeks will be critical. Whether diplomacy can reverse or reduce the effects of the U.S. tariffs remains uncertain. But for thousands of South African workers and families, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
