POST Online Media Lite Edition



 

South Africa again exports more fruit in 2021, mandarin exports 30% higher

Christian Fernsby |
Fresh fruit exports from South Africa have again grown by double digits.

Article continues below




In 2021, that country exported more than four million tons of fresh fruit. That is 11% more than in 2020, when exports grew by ten percent. In two years, South African fruit exports have grown from 3.3 to 4 million tons. This record was reached despite several alarming reports in 2021.

These were about container issues and problems at the ports. That is according to Jan Kees Boon of Fruit & Vegetable Facts.

This estimate is based on the South African Revenue Service's (SARS) figures. SARS is an autonomous agency that manages South Africa's tax and customs system. These estimates are based on January through October 2021. In previous years, that country realized 95% of its annual total in each year's first ten months.

A third of South African fruit exports are destined for the EU27. The Netherlands is by far the most important South African fruit buyer. In 2021, that will total more than 900,000 tons. That gives the Netherlands a 22% share of total South African fruit exports.

The United Kingdom is in second place with 440,000 tons. The United Arab Emirates follows with 285,000 tons. Then it is Russia with 282,000 tons and China with 190,000 tons. Many countries buy South African fruit. No less than 45 countries took more than 10,000 tons. And 12 took more than 100,000 tons, including Bangladesh.

Growth to both the EU27 and the Netherlands was in line with the total growth of South African exports, i.e., 11%. By region, Southeast Asia is the second-largest buyer after the EU. Exports to that region grew by 18% in 2021. The Gulf States are the third-largest buyer. Exports to that area also grew above average in 2021.

Exports to the rest of Europe, particularly the UK, grew at a somewhat slower pace of five percent. Among individual countries, the four percent fewer exports to China and two percent fewer to Bangladesh stand out. However, other Southeast Asian countries did much better, such as Malaysia +27% and India +93%. Within the EU, there was a noticeable shift in exports from Portugal (-14%) to Spain (+170%).

South Africa exports most of its fruit from May to September. The export of oranges starts a month later. Lemons are available earlier, from late March. South African apples and grapes leave the country from December through April. Slightly fewer oranges to The Netherlands took slightly fewer oranges; the Gulf States more.

With over 30% of the total, oranges are, by far, South Africa's most important export product. The Netherlands' share of South African orange exports is in line with the total. However, exports to the Netherlands in 2021 declined slightly compared to the previous year. What is striking is that far more oranges were exported to the Gulf States in 2021.

South Africa exported plenty of apples in 2021 too. At nearly 580,000 tons, it was 14% more than in 2020. The United Kingdom is the main buyer with 90,000 tons. The Netherlands usually does not take all that many South African apples. In 2021, it was 24,000 tons, more than before.

South African mandarin exports grew tremendously in 2021. They increased by a third to more than 500,000 tons. In previous years, these exports had also grown considerably. The Netherlands buys the most mandarins from South Africa. In 2021, that country exported 110,000 tons of these citrus fruits to the Netherlands. In 2020, that was still only more than 80,000 tons.

There was, unusually, a slight decline in South African mandarin exports to the UK. Very substantial growth rates in exports to the United States (+34%) offset that. As did more to the UAE (+65%), Russia (+23%), and Bangladesh (+38%).

South Africa also exports lots of lemons and limes. But these do not count for much. Again, the Netherlands is the main buyer.

Nonetheless, its share of the total remains below 20%. Total South African lemon exports grew by eight percent. Those to the Netherlands, however, declined slightly. Exports of other major export products such as grapes (390,000 tons) and grapefruit (290,000 tons) also increased substantially (20%) in 2021. More grapefruit, in particular (+60%), went to China. And the Netherlands took far more grapes (+35%).

South African pear exports grew by a 'paltry' six percent to 240,000 tons. That was more in 2017. Compared to 2020, plum exports grew very substantially (+75%). But these were much lower in 2019 and 2020. Peach/nectarine exports were also up significantly. After rapid growth, blueberry exports remained at the same level as in 2020.


What to read next

New species of fruit fly found in Auckland
Considerable increase in import of fruit and vegetables in EU
Vietnamese dragon fruit on Australian shelves

Winter storm moving across U.S.

 
A hyperactive weather pattern will bring an expansive low pressure system across mainland U.S., resulting in widespread impactful weather to progress from west to east across the country through the next few days.
 
 

Latest

Baker Hughes reports U.S. rig count up 2 to 588
Massachusetts Governor Healey welcomes Jordan king
Attorney General coalition probing asset managers’ activity regarding Chinese investments
Amazon announces 1,000 new UK apprenticeship opportunities for 2025

NEWS

U.S.: Pacific storm will bring strong winds, heavy rain, and mountain snow

EPPO probes steel import tax fraud with searches in UK and Germany
Police investigate extensive data breach on Valio’s network
U.S.: Prolonged heavy rain and snowfall
Croatia: Investigation launched against 2 individuals and 1 company suspected of subsidy fraud
Latvia-Sweden subsea cable damaged in Baltic Sea
 

BUSINESS

Cable laying begins for Tyrrhenian Link interconnector in Italy

Construction of Serbia-Hungary oil pipeline to begin by end-2025
Six contractors set to bid for Stad ship tunnel in Norway
New Cebu International Container Port construction begins
Baltic States join the European continental electricity grid
U.S. drillers add oil and gas rigs to 586
 

Trending Now

Winter storm moving across U.S.

Massachusetts Governor Healey welcomes Jordan king

Baker Hughes reports U.S. rig count up 2 to 588

Novartis opens 40 mln euro plant in Slovenia


POLITICS

Trump raises aluminum tariffs to 25 pct, ends exemptions on steel and aluminum

Greece to protest Italian sale of aerospace giant Piaggio to Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar
South Africa raises national minimum wage to $1.55 per hour
Moldova announces tender for constructing wind, solar parks worth 200 mln euros
Denmark supports hydrogen pipeline to Germany with $1.1bn of subsidies
EU invests over €1.2 billion in cross-border infrastructure
 

Today We Recommend

Attorney General coalition probing asset managers’ activity regarding Chinese investments


Highlights 

Amazon announces 1,000 new UK apprenticeship opportunities for 2025

NIB provides loan to Tønder Biogas for one of Europe’s largest biogas facilities

bp and Iberdrola begin construction of Spain’s largest green hydrogen plant


COMPANIES

Novartis opens 40 mln euro plant in Slovenia

NIB provides loan to Tønder Biogas for one of Europe’s largest biogas facilities
Amadix to develop innovative diagnostic tests for early cancer detection
bp and Iberdrola begin construction of Spain’s largest green hydrogen plant
Cold-Link Logistics will create 123 new jobs in Robeson County, North Carolina
ArcelorMittal plans Alabama mill to produce electrical steel, will create 1,300+ jobs
 

CAREERS

Ruslan Pereira promoted to head of sales for Lindemann’s South American region

Nazeem Noordali appointed CEO of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation
Inizio appoints Colin Stanley as chief commercial officer
Bridgewest Group names operating partner and general manager, Europe
Keith Hale named group CEO to Unite Titian Software & Labguru (BioData)
Solithor appoints new CEO
 

ECONOMY

U.S. becomes New Zealand's second largest export destination

Indonesia goes from $0.6 billion deficit to $5.9 billion surplus
Greece to repay $5.3 billion bailout debt early
Fraser Institute: Canada’s debt ranking falls from best in G7 to 7th worst
Kuwait reports $5.2 bln budget deficit in FY 2023-24
Eurozone reports modest Q1 GDP growth, stable annual inflation
 

EARNINGS

Ericsson Q2 sales down but North America up

Lockton revenue $3.55 billion
Motorcar Parts of America Q4 sales $189.5 million
Limoneira Q2 revenue $44.6 million
Lululemon athletica Q1 revenue increased 10% to $2.2 billion
PVH Q1 GAAP EBIT $205 million
 

OP-ED

Micromanaging is the worst enemy of efficiency and teamwork

Niger set to monetize massive gas reserves through Saharan natural gas pipeline
Putting the brakes on EV folly that choked the market
Oil discovery in Kavango Basin may mean huge benefits for Namibians
Cape Town and Dubai battle over Africa's energy future
Is America going to lose its superpower status?
 

AGRIFISH

Higher salmon volumes and U.S. growth resulted in record Norwegian seafood exports in January

U.S. resumes cattle and bison imports from Mexico under new protocol
Canada considers lowering tebuconazole residue limit on grapes, impacting U.S. imports
How expensive was agricultural land in Europe in 2023
Iran to import 50,000 tons of potatoes to stabilize prices amid rising food costs
JBS and partners donate 3 million tags to improve livestock traceability in Pará, Brazil
 

LEADERSHIP

Study: Missing a deadline has a bigger impact than you might think

Employers prefer younger job candidates for AI roles although experienced workers perform same or better
Study finds workers misjudge wage markets
Some organizations may need to expand their hierarchical structures earlier than others
Study finds there's right way and wrong way to deliver negative feedback in workplace
Allyship is critical and its needs appreciation
 

CRIME

Commission fines Pierre Cardin and its licensee Ahlers €5.7 million for restricting cross-border sales of clothing

BHP, Vale agree to pay $30B damages for Brazil dam disaster
Commission fines České dráhy and Österreichische Bundesbahnen €48.7 million over collusion to exclude common compe
SEC charges Keurig with making inaccurate statements regarding recyclability of K-Cup beverage pod
SEC charges John Deere with FCPA violations for subsidiary’s role in Thai bribery scheme
AG Bonta secures $3.9 million settlement with cryptocurrency company Robinhood
 

Magazine

TRAVEL

Radisson Hotel Group debuts in the heart of Tunisia’s capital city, Tunis

Morocco’s first Radisson branded hotel opens in Casablanca
Buna channels, an unreal and beautiful part of Bosnia and Herzegovina
JW Marriott unveils Mindful Haven with opening of JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi
Sotheby's Sports Week returns with fantastic artifacts
Red Roof properties open in Michigan
 

SEA, LAND, AIR

Citroën C3 Aircross, the most affordable compact SUV with 7 seats

2025 Chevrolet Equinox stands apart with fresh looks and capability
Hill Helicopters HX50, luxury in the sky
Opel Movano becomes fully equipped camper van
Porsche Panamera, new hybrid variants
Dodge Charger, 670 horsepower of electric
 

DESIGN

Cold night, hot fire pit, cool entertainment

Embellish your home with PVC panels
You'll have to hurry if you want one of 20 new Louis Vuitton watches
Luxury duvet looks good, fells good and keeps you healthy
Vacheron Constantin, watches for life and more
Schüller kitchens, where functionality marries design
 

GADGETS

MESA/Boogie Celebrates 40-year partnership with John Petrucci

reMarkable 2, monochrome tablet for your thoughts and your eyes
OnePlus Ace 3V, first with Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3
ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, flagship with a reason
Samsung Galaxy S24 is photography powerhouse
Casette tapes are making a big comeback, and so are portable players
 

HEALTH

Human cases of anthrax reported in western Mongolia

One more barrier to developing vaccine for HIV removed
Rwanda begins world's first clinical trial for treatment of Marburg virus disease
Rwanda restricts gatherings amid Marburg virus outbreak, to begin trials of vaccine
Teksas Attorney General reaches settlement in first-of-its-kind healthcare generative AI investigation
Potentially deadly fungal disease spreading in California
 

MEANTIME

India launches space docking experiment mission

World-first carbon-14 diamond battery made
Einstein Telescope step closer
Exoplanet-hunting telescope to begin search for another Earth in 2026
India to build first phase of its own space station by 2028
Roscosmos chief approves schedule of creating Russian orbital station through 2033