SCSA Citrus Update & October Arrivals
Please enjoy this video highlighting our dedicated service providers throughout the entire supply-chain. This footage was filmed just before the increased tariffs into to the U.S. were taken into effect.
Challenging markets, like the U.S., and sophisticated supply-chains, take years to establish. In some cases, even decades. We began our journey into the U.S. more than two decades ago, and so much has happened in-between.
What started as growing a category for citrus from June to October, is now a commitment we make to the market and have proudly established ourselves as the preferred supplier of citrus during the summer months the U.S.!
A few key elements formed part of our strategy and were adjusted during the years as the market progressed:
- Executing a business model of managing supply and demand.
- Shipping only the best quality fruit to the U.S. and therefore thriving on our superior eating experience of our product.
- Choosing the right partners throughout the total the supply chain and forming long term strategic partnerships.
- Speaking with one voice when talking to the trade, and sharing our updated, real-time, transparent information with all parties involved.
- Working towards sophisticated supply chain solutions so that we can offer U.S. retailers fresh, weekly supply of citrus.
These were implemented to coincide with our goal of sustaining and growing our market responsibly with our respective partners.
As the pressure built up towards the beginning of August, when the increased tariffs were to start to take effect, we had a few weeks with additional loadings, which was balanced out with a few slower weeks. Especially on Easy Peelers, less volume was loaded than what is typically anticipated for this period.
In terms of available produce now in the U.S., Easy Peelers volume is low, Navels and Star Ruby are on par with what is expected for this period of time, and Midknights will start to arrive early October to help complement the market with a solid eating Orange product.
During the 2024 season the available product was lower due to increased rainfall, but we started 2025 with a good expectation of a healthy crop. However, the situation with the tariffs changed the playing field completely. Any tariff has an impact on any market, and the South African citrus was not spared and was hit harder than most. The dynamics have totally changed as the growers and suppliers of the fruit must find an economical, workable way forward for both parties. But in between the growers and the buyers of the fruit, there is a committed group of supply chain service providers working to execute this program with excellence.
We as a group, together with all our service providers, are staying committed to the U.S. market and finding a way forward to make it work for all parties involved!
Please stay up-to-date during the season and reach to out to our grower-exporters or importers to secure your citrus during the summer months.
Proudly shipping and selling the world’s finest Summer Citrus!
Thank you for the continued support!
Suhanra Conradie
CEO – Summer Citrus from South Africa
suhanra@summercitrus.com
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