South African citrus growers benefit from stable domestic demand

Tiger Brands has sourced 100% of the oranges required for its Oros beverage from South African growers for the second consecutive citrus season, strengthening local procurement and providing stable demand for the country’s citrus industry.

The achievement marks a significant shift from previous years, when local supply constraints meant the company imported around 35% of its orange requirements. Improved local availability, combined with long-term partnerships with growers, has enabled Tiger Brands to meet all its needs domestically.

According to the company, global citrus shortages driven by citrus greening disease in major producing countries such as Brazil, together with strong international demand for South African fruit, had previously limited domestic supply.

Tiger Brands is South Africa’s largest user of orange concentrate, purchasing approximately 45,000 tonnes of oranges annually, equivalent to around 275 million oranges. The fruit is processed into approximately 3.5 million litres of orange concentrate used to produce Oros.

The company sources Valencia and Navel oranges from growers in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Western Cape during the May-to-July citrus season. Concentrate is then supplied to Tiger Brands’ Roodekop manufacturing facility in Gauteng, where between 75,000 and 100,000 litres are delivered each week.

Supporting Local Agriculture

Shamiel Randeree, Managing Director of Snacks, Treats and Beverages at Tiger Brands, said prioritising local sourcing reinforces the company’s commitment to South African agriculture while reducing reliance on imports.

“By sourcing 100% of our orange requirements from South African growers, we are reinforcing our commitment to local procurement, providing farmers with stable domestic demand and strengthening South Africa’s agricultural value chain,” he said.

Tiger Brands said its consistent purchasing provides growers with a dependable local market, helping farmers invest in infrastructure, renewable energy and water-efficiency projects while supporting employment in rural communities.

The company added that stronger partnerships between food manufacturers and agricultural producers contribute to more resilient domestic supply chains and improve long-term food security.

While South Africa’s citrus industry remains heavily export-oriented, Tiger Brands said reliable domestic demand offers growers greater certainty and supports long-term planning.

The initiative also aligns with the company’s broader strategy of increasing local procurement and strengthening domestic agricultural value chains, while reinforcing Oros’ long-standing connection with South African consumers.