Cape Town – The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) welcomes the recent reauthorisation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for one year.
However, today, Friday 6 February 2026, CGA said this extension does not materially impact the tariff regime for South African citrus exports to the United States.
Based on the prevailing legal interpretation, the tariffs imposed by the White House take precedence over AGOA benefits.
“As a result, AGOA’s renewal does not, at present, alter market access conditions for local citrus exporters,” said CGA.
“It should be noted that in November last year, in a positive development, oranges were granted an exemption from the 30% U.S. tariffs, allowing them to enter the market duty-free.”
The CGA acknowledged that this development provided welcome relief to South African orange growers, particularly in regions that are heavily reliant on the American market, such as the Western and Northern Cape.
“However, mandarins were regrettably not included in this exemption,” lamented the CGA.
South African mandarins have proved to be popular in the United States.
Thus, the CGA stated that a 30% tariff on mandarins is expected to negatively affect growers in the Western Cape and Northern Cape during the 2026 season, set to start in April.
“Applying tariffs to mandarins risks creating price spikes, supply shortages, and inflationary pressure in the U.S.,” said Dr. Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the CGA.
“SA supplies mandarins counter-seasonally to America, so we do not threaten U.S. production or jobs.
“In fact, we help keep consumers in the category year-round with our high-quality and healthy citrus, handing the consumers over to fellow growers in states like California and Florida at the end of our season.” Â
Entire communities depend on SA-US trade, with Citrusdal standing as a clear example of how significantly local livelihoods are tied to continued access to the U.S. market.
“Given all the complexities, the AGOA extension currently has no meaningful effect on growers’ planning for the coming season,” said Gerrit Van der Merwe, the Chairperson of the CGA. Â
“The situation remains somewhat uncertain.
“This underscores the need for a stable and mutually beneficial trade agreement between SA and the US.”
Van der Merwe noted that, unlike AGOA, whose future is periodically uncertain, a dedicated trade agreement could provide both SA and the U.S. with the predictability they urgently require.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, AGOA was extended for one year when U.S. President Donald Trump signed legislation reauthorising the program through December 2026, with retroactive effect from its lapse on 30 September 2025.
The trade preference grants duty-free U.S. market access for over 1 800 products from 32 eligible sub-Saharan African nations, benefiting exporters.
CGA said unimpeded access to the U.S. citrus market remains a priority for South Africa’s citrus sector.
