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Trump tariffs sour fortunes of SA's citrus farmers

Weekend Argus on Saturday

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July 12, 2025

WALK down the aisles of a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods Market in the US, and chances are many of the piles of oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit will be labelled “produce of South Africa”.

- NTANDO THUKWANA

Trump tariffs sour fortunes of SA's citrus farmers

They have become a staple in the US - the world’s largest citrus importer — especially during the off-season summer months when in the southern hemisphere, the South African winter harvest is at its peak.

But now those supplies are threatened by a potential 30% tariff that US President Donald Trump has slapped on the country. After earlier saying the levies would be imposed on July 9, US officials on Monday signalled that trading partners have until August 1 before the tariffs kick in.

The looming levy has cast a cloud over the sunny valleys of Citrusdal, a tiny, serene farming town nestled amid rolling green hillocks in the Western Cape. Tucked into the base of the Cederberg mountains about 160km north of Cape Town, the area is dominated by citrus farms, giving the town its name.

For a quarter century, the juicy produce of the area’s orchards - owned over generations by people mostly of Afrikaner heritage — has journeyed thousands of miles to make it to the fruit bowls of American homes.

But this season is different. Now, Trump's tariff policies are threatening the very same white farmers to whom he offered asylum, falsely claiming that they are targets of a genocide and that their land is being seized by the state. The levies are likely to have a debilitating impact on their operations, the livelihoods of the thousands of people they employ and the country’s R35 billion citrus industry, one of the rare bright spots in South Africa’s stagnant economy.

“Our business is built for the US market, and for about 25 years we've planted, we’ve picked, we've planned accordingly,” said Gerrit van der Merwe, the chief executive officer of family owned ALG Estates, as he stood in his 1 011ha farm donning a gray puffer jacket, jeans and a pair of veldskoen.

Weekend Argus on Saturday से और कहानियाँ

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Weekend Argus on Saturday

'Ramaphosa agreed to disband Political Killings Task Team'

SUSPENDED police minister Senzo Mchunu testified that he briefed President Cyril Ramaphosa about his decision to disband the Political Killing Task Team (PKTT) and added that the commander-in-chief was in agreement with it.

time to read

3 mins

October 18, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Is Sea Point losing its soul to commercialisation?

RESIDENTS CONCERNED

time to read

3 mins

October 18, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Integrity of judiciary under scrutiny

KWAZULU-NATAL'S police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has ignited a firestorm of controversy this week as he made several high-profile requests to Parliament.

time to read

3 mins

October 11, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Justice for Palestine, say SA activists

CEASEFIRE NOT ENOUGH

time to read

2 mins

October 11, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Weekend Argus on Saturday

A cap, a coat, a remote control: Mthethwa's belongings given to widow

A CAP, a coat, and a remote control: these were the belongings handed to the widow of South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi “Nathi” Emmanuel Mthethwa, after his tragic death at an upmarket Paris hotel this week.

time to read

1 mins

October 04, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Sale of CTICC still under review

THE future of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) remains under review as the City of Cape Town explores the possible sale of its 72.7% shareholding in the landmark facility.

time to read

2 mins

October 04, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Activists demand release of flotilla volunteers

PICKETS against the ongoing crisis in Palestine are a familiar sight, but yesterday, gatherings across South Africa focused on the detention of humanitarian volunteers captured by Israeli forces while en route to aid Gaza.

time to read

4 mins

October 04, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

End of Political Killings Task Team in focus

KZN National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head, Elaine Harrison said her office was never formally informed of the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), saying she would have objected to the decision because of the team’s good work.

time to read

1 mins

September 27, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Dire impact of rogue parents on teachers

PARENTAL aggression has pushed already-stretched teachers past their limits, forcing many to leave the profession, and in some cases, the country.

time to read

3 mins

September 27, 2025

Weekend Argus on Saturday

Alleged abuse of racehorses in spotlight

HORSERACING is a multi-million rand business in South Africa, but behind the glitz and glamour of racing events and the betting that goes with it, are the horses, whom the National Council of SPCA's (NSPCA) say are subject to abuse, illegal harnessing, including the racing of horses that are too young to race.

time to read

3 mins

September 20, 2025

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