Citrus Growers Association members discuss matters of concern with their chosen regional representative, who then share the issue with the Board at Board Meetings or request the assistance of the CEO in the interim.
Information is shared through various platforms: From the Desk of the CEO is a weekly newsletter, summarizing the latest citrus related news, gives reminders of relevant upcoming events and reports back on recent endeavours undertaken by the association. The CEO also has a twitter account that keeps growers and the public aware of what is happening in the industry.
While the newsletter, press releases and a lot of information is open to the public on the Citrus Growers Association website, growers, export agents and Citrus Marketing Forum members also have access to the members section that contains information on shipped and packed volumes, logistics reports, communications from the Department of Agriculture, important fruit infestation monitoring and Food and Safety Information, market access news and so forth.
Members also have access to the fruit industry’s SA Fruit Journal in which research, production information and social interest articles, the Annual Report and Citrus Statistics booklet, which gives an overview of exports, crop distribution and growth trends of the different citrus commodities, as well as the area and varieties planted.
Roadshows and a Citrus Summit are hosted alternately every other year to keep members abreast of new trends and industry issues. The Citrus Growers Association releases a book on succession in 2019, which showcases stories of more than thirty citrus-growing family farms and their plans for the future.
The most popular citrus types farmed in South Africa include oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits and soft citrus. Oranges are by far South A...