South African citrus farmers are reporting isolated cases of diesel shortages as the industry prepares for the export season starting in April, a growers’ body said on Monday.
The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) noted that while the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has assured that national fuel supplies remain stable, some stations are experiencing limited diesel availability. The shortages appear linked to unusual buying patterns and controlled allocation by industry players.
South Africa, the world’s second-largest citrus exporter after Spain, exported 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 the industry’s vulnerability, noting that 95% of citrus exports are transported by road to ports, making them sensitive to fuel supply 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.
In response, South Africa’s major agricultural lobby groups have proposed measures such as temporary exemption from paying fuel levies for primary producers, including farmers, to cushion against the expected steep fuel price increase on April 1.
