The first South African lemon shipment of the 2025 season has arrived in India.
It comes a week before a representative of the South African Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) travels to India for meetings with the Indian government, the South African High Commission, and participation in Fresh Produce India in Mumbai.
The CGA, in a joint statement with South African exporter FruitOne, said Indian consumers could look forward to a “flavourful” citrus season this year.
The arrival of the lemons is the first shipment of the fruit exported to India by FruitOne.
“We are delighted to announce the arrival of the first shipment of South African lemons in India for the season,” said Boitshoko Ntshabele, chief executive of the CGA.
“This shipment signifies the strong trade relationship between South Africa and India.
”It starts the season, and hopefully also starts an era of increased exports and opportunities for our two countries,” he noted,
Leardt van der Burgh, head of the commercial section at FruitOne, said India – because of its sheer population size and growing middle-class – was important to South African fruit’s future.
”The FruitOne brand is known in India, and it is important for us to supply the whole citrus basket to this market,” he explained. “Adding Lemons to this basket in 2025 is a big step forward in this regard.”
The shipment of 1,600 cartons arrived in Jawaharlal Nehru Port on the vessel Navios Verde and was welcomed by importer IG International.
Sachin Khurana, the CGA’s trade representative in India, said there was a ”noticeable appreciation” of South African citrus and its ”juiciness, vibrant colour, and fresh flavour” in India.
“For five months of the year, when the produce of India’s own citrus growers is out of season, South Africa sustains Indian consumers,” he said.
According to the statement, South Africa also exports oranges, mandarins, and grapefruit to India.
Ntshabele pointed out that citrus exports to India have increased significantly in recent years. Since 2020, citrus exports have almost tripled to 30,000 tonnes.
There is, however, an obstacle to further growth.
“A steep citrus import tariff of 30 per cent keeps South African growers and the citrus-loving Indian consumer from benefiting even more,” Ntshabele said.
It is hoped that the progress already made in trade relations between SA and India will continue.
The CGA said expanded market access for South African citrus was the cornerstone of its goal to export 260mn 15kg cartons of citrus by 2032, which will create an estimated 100,000 more jobs and ”contribute significantly” to export-led growth in the economy.
South Africa expects a good lemon export season overall in 2025, with better sizing compared to 2024.
“The South African volume for 2025 seems to match the global demand well – with 32.9mn cartons expected to be exported in total – and a stable market is anticipated,” the CGA added.
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