Grower Power for Value Creation in High-Value Horticulture? The Case of Citrus in South Africa

This paper analyses how the reconfiguration of power relationships in high-value fresh fruit value chains impacts on upgrading for export performance. The citrus industry in South Africa stands out internationally for its strong export growth and productive capabilities in which collective action by the Citrus Growers Association has played an important role. South Africa is the second largest citrus exporter in the world, after Spain. The industry’s export success has been built on investments and coordination to support shared capabilities and upgrading. The performance relates to improvements from inputs, through to growing, packing and marketing. We find that the upgrading is associated with the relatively powerful position of citrus growers, due to the way they organised themselves through the industry association and their engagement with the state. This has simultaneously supported value creation and inclusion. Through the case study of South Africa’s citrus industry, we demonstrate the potential for growers to organise themselves to reconfigure power relations in the value chain.