South Africa’s Citrus Exports Surge 19% as TPT Wraps Up Record Season

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South Africa’s citrus export season has wrapped up on a high note, with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) announcing a 19% year-on-year increase in volumes handled by the end of September. The strong performance marks another milestone for the country’s agricultural export industry, solidifying South Africa’s position as one of the world’s leading citrus producers.

The Durban Multipurpose Terminal emerged as the standout performer, recording a massive 131.6% jump in volumes compared to last year. Other ports also showed strong growth, with Ngqura Container Terminal up by 35%, Cape Town Container Terminal by 27.4%, and Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 by 28.8%.

Michelle van Buren Schele, TPT’s General Manager for Commercial and Planning, praised the collaboration that made the season a success.

“This year has been a remarkable achievement – and this is attributed to a bumper crop season, much improved terminal operational performance, and strong communication, teamwork, and collaboration with customers and stakeholders. We would really like to thank all those that have made this possible,” she said.

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TPT’s operational boost follows a R3.4 billion investment in new handling equipment during the last financial year. The upgrades included straddle carriers, haulers, trailers, rubber-tyred gantry cranes, reach stackers, and empty container handlers—critical tools that helped terminals handle higher volumes more efficiently. The company has also confirmed a further R4 billion investment in equipment upgrades across five of its terminals this financial year.

According to the Citrus Growers Association, this year’s record performance was driven by both larger yields and improved fruit quality, thanks to new orchards and the adoption of netted growing systems. While South Africa exports citrus to over 100 global markets, the European Union and Middle East remained the largest buyers this season.

South Africa continues to rank as the world’s second-largest citrus exporter after Spain, reinforcing the country’s reputation for delivering top-quality produce to international markets.