Heavy flooding delays citrus harvest in South Africa’s north

Severe flooding in northern South Africa has disrupted citrus production and export activity just as the 2026 harvest season begins, according to a USDA FAS Pretoria report.

Heavy and persistent rainfall in Mpumalanga and Limpopo during January triggered widespread flooding, prompting the government to declare a national disaster after roads, bridges, and farming areas were damaged.

The two provinces sit at the core of the country’s citrus belt. Limpopo alone accounts for 41% of South Africa’s citrus area, including major plantings of grapefruit and Valencia oranges, while Mpumalanga represents a further 8%.

Harvest and export disruptions

Waterlogged orchards have prevented growers from entering fields, delaying picking and packhouse flows. Early-season lemon harvesting — largely export-oriented — has been particularly affected, with some producers now targeting later harvest windows if conditions improve. Over-maturity losses are also possible where fruit cannot be collected in time.

Excess rainfall is also raising quality concerns. High moisture levels may dilute internal fruit characteristics such as acid balance in mandarins, especially where drainage systems cannot cope with saturated soils.

Disease and market access risks

Wet orchard conditions are increasing pressure from citrus black spot (CBS), a regulated fungal disease. Flooded fields have limited spraying access, heightening infestation risks and creating potential export compliance issues — particularly for European markets where CBS controls are strict.

Other crops

Beyond citrus, the flooded northern production zone is also a key growing area for macadamia nuts, avocados, mangoes, lychees, and bananas, meaning broader fruit and nut supply chains could see knock-on effects.

Trade

Despite the scale of disruption, the affected regions are not eligible to export citrus to the United States, as U.S. market access is restricted to CBS-free production zones located in other South African provinces.

Read the full report here.

source: fas.usda.gov

graphics: fas.usda.gov, maps.google.com