Selebi Phikwe Citrus production soars on second harvest
Pauline Dikuelo | Wednesday November 26, 2025 06:09
It has been a bumper year for the producer as latest statistics have shown that production rose from approximately 5,000 tonnes in the first season to an impressive 22,000 metric tonnes in the second one. Addressing Parliamentarians recently, the Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Tiroeaone Ntsima said the bulk of the 2025’s harvest has been successfully exported to key international markets, including the European Union, the Middle East, Canada, and South Africa. SPC, which is one of Botswana’s largest and most ambitious agricultural investments, currently produces a variety of citrus fruits such as future lemons, oranges, grapefruit, and naartjies, further expanding Botswana’s footprint in global agricultural trade. 'Since its inception, the project has attracted more than P200 million in foreign direct investment, while total investment now stands at P491 million,' he said.
Beyond its direct economic contribution, SPC continues to stimulate growth in related sectors, supporting industries involved in input supply, transport, logistics, and other critical services. Employment has also risen steadily with the farm currently employing 405 people, with staffing increasing to 734 during peak harvesting periods. The company’s leadership structure includes 16 managerial positions, eight of which are held by Batswana and the remaining eight by South Africans. Once the project reaches full production, it has the potential to create up to 1,500 jobs, offering a major boost to the local labour market.
SPC is owned by a group investors of which Citrico Global is one of the shareholder. Citrico Global initially injected US$12 million towards financing operation and expansion objectives. The expansion into a second development will depend on SPC’s successfully acquiring land and water for the intended project.
Since its launch in December 2020, the project has made remarkable progress. Of the 1,832 hectares allocated, 1,077 hectares have been fully developed, with 819,000 trees already planted. To strengthen long-term sustainability, SPC has begun constructing a one-million-cubic-metre dam aimed at reducing reliance on the Letsibogo Dam for irrigation needs. The company is also investing heavily in human capital development. SPC is training local workers in advanced picking and production skills, while its graduate programme with the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) is currently mentoring eight graduates to become future agricultural managers. As a flagship agricultural development initiative in eastern Botswana, SPC plays a central role in national efforts to diversify the economy and revitalise the town of Selebi Phikwe following the decline of mining activities. With its trees expected to reach full production capacity at around 16 years, SPC is poised to further increase its output, supplying both domestic and global markets with premium, patented citrus varieties for decades to come.