South African citrus farmers are reaping the benefits of stable domestic demand after Tiger Brands secured all of its Oros orange requirements locally for a second straight year.
Image: Supplied.
Tiger Brands said it sourced 100% of the oranges needed to produce its iconic Oros beverage from South African growers for the second consecutive citrus season, marking a significant milestone for the country's agricultural sector while reinforcing the company's commitment to local procurement.
The achievement represents a notable turnaround from previous years when local supply constraints forced the food manufacturer to import around 35% of its citrus requirements.
Global citrus shortages, fuelled by challenges such as citrus greening disease in major producing countries like Brazil and strong international demand for South African fruit, had previously limited the availability of oranges for the domestic market.
Shamiel Randeree, Managing Director of Snacks, Treats and Beverages at Tiger Brands, said the move demonstrates the company's long term commitment to supporting local producers and strengthening South Africa's agricultural value chain.
“South African citrus is in high demand in a globally competitive market, making reliable local supply increasingly important. 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 while reducing reliance on imports,” Randeree said.
Tiger Brands is the country's largest user of orange concentrate, procuring approximately 45,000 metric tonnes of oranges each year, equivalent to around 275 million oranges.
South African citrus farmers are reaping the benefits of stable domestic demand after Tiger Brands secured all of its Oros orange requirements locally for a second straight year.
Image: Supplied.
The fruit is processed into roughly 3.5 million litres of orange concentrate used to manufacture Oros, one of South Africa's best known dilutable beverage brands.
The company sources Valencia and Navel oranges from growers across Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Western Cape during the annual May to July citrus harvest.
The fruit is processed into concentrate before being delivered to Tiger Brands' Roodekop manufacturing facility in Gauteng, where between 75,000 and 100,000 litres are received every week to produce Oros.
According to Tiger Brands, its ability to secure all of its citrus requirements locally over the past two seasons has been driven by long standing relationships with producers and its role as a dependable domestic buyer.
The company believes providing growers with stable and predictable demand has enabled farmers to invest in their businesses while creating employment opportunities in rural communities.
Among the reported benefits are investments in water infrastructure, renewable energy projects and initiatives aimed at improving water and energy efficiency, strengthening the long term sustainability of citrus farming operations.
South African citrus farmers are reaping the benefits of stable domestic demand after Tiger Brands secured all of its Oros orange requirements locally for a second straight year.
Image: Supplied.
Randeree said these partnerships extend beyond commercial agreements and contribute to the resilience of South Africa's broader food system.
“Partnerships between food producers and agricultural producers are critical to ensuring the sustainability of South Africa's food system. By providing a dependable local market for citrus growers, we contribute not only to the success of our suppliers but also to the economic wellbeing of the communities in which they operate,” he said.
The move also aligns with Tiger Brands' broader strategy of increasing local procurement and building more resilient domestic supply chains while reducing dependence on imported agricultural products.
South African citrus farmers are reaping the benefits of stable domestic demand after Tiger Brands secured all of its Oros orange requirements locally for a second straight year.
Image: Supplied.
For local citrus growers, the arrangement provides an important balance to South Africa's export focused industry.
While international markets continue to offer attractive returns, having a consistent domestic customer helps reduce uncertainty and supports long term planning and investment.
Oros remains one of Tiger Brands' ten priority brands identified for future growth, and the company believes its commitment to local sourcing further strengthens the product's connection with South African consumers.
South African citrus farmers are reaping the benefits of stable domestic demand after Tiger Brands secured all of its Oros orange requirements locally for a second straight year.
Image: Supplied.
“For generations, Oros has remained a trusted household favourite, known for bringing families together around moments of refreshment. The continued local sourcing of its key ingredient reinforces the brand's connection to South African consumers and the communities that help produce it,” Randeree said.
As global supply chains continue to face uncertainty, Tiger Brands' decision to source all of its oranges locally for a second consecutive year highlights the growing importance of building resilient domestic partnerships that benefit manufacturers, farmers and consumers alike.
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