Soleil Citrus in South Africa's Hoedspruit region has only been able to pack and ship 20% of its lemon crop so far this season — a number that should be closer to 50% by end of April. The culprit is an unusual amount of sustained rainfall that's blocked harvesting and packing operations.
On top of the harvest delays, rising shipping costs are adding another layer of pressure. The combination of lower supply and higher logistics costs is a margin squeeze for growers and could translate to tighter availability and elevated pricing for buyers sourcing South African citrus.
South Africa is a meaningful supplier of lemons and other citrus to North American and European markets. If weather delays continue, expect some gaps in supply or price bumps — worth a heads-up to your citrus buyers.