South African citrus farmers are reporting isolated diesel shortages as the industry prepares for a fuel price increase, which could affect the fruit export season starting in April, the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) said on Monday, according to Reuters.
The country’s Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has assured that national fuel supplies will remain stable in the near term, despite disruptions in global energy and shipping markets caused by the war in the Middle East.
The CGA noted, however, that “while official assurances indicate that national supply remains stable, industry participants have reported limited diesel availability at certain stations, seemingly caused by unusual buying patterns and controlled allocation by industry players.”
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South Africa, the world’s second-largest citrus exporter after Spain, shipped a record 3.05 million metric tons of citrus in 2025, a 22% increase over the previous year.
The Middle East is the second-largest export market after Europe, accounting for 19% of total shipments in 2024.
The CGA highlighted that 95% of citrus exports are transported by road to ports, making the industry vulnerable to fuel supply disruptions and price shocks.
“Should controlled selling or limited availability of diesel persist, it could directly affect the functioning of the citrus supply chain,” the association said.
To mitigate the impact of the expected fuel price hike on April 1, South Africa’s major agricultural lobby groups have proposed measures such as temporary exemptions from paying the fuel levy for primary producers, including farmers.
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Image Credit: The South African
