The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has increased its forecast for the country’s 2026 lemon export season, raising its estimate from 45.8 million to 49.4 million 15-kilogram cartons following a recent review by its Lemon Variety Focus Group.
According to CGA, favorable growing conditions have contributed to the larger crop despite a later-than-normal start to the season. Multiple cold fronts accelerated fruit color development, while increased rainfall supported larger fruit sizes and improved carton yields.
While export volumes are now expected to be higher than initially projected, CGA cautioned that the season may end more abruptly than usual, with a sharp decline in shipments anticipated around mid-July. The organization emphasized the importance of close coordination throughout the supply chain to avoid periods of under- or oversupply in key export markets.
South Africa remains a major competitor in global lemon markets, making production and export trends important indicators for California citrus growers. Despite the increased crop estimate, CGA reported that overall fruit quality remains excellent.
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