Meet Eastern Cape Farmer, Headman Manyonta Owner of the 45-hectare Oakdene Citrus Farm Putting South African Citrus on the Global Stage

Eastern Cape citrus farmers continue to play an important role in strengthening South Africa’s reputation as a leading supplier of premium citrus to international markets. Among the producers driving this success is Headman Manyonta, owner of the 45-hectare Oakdene Citrus Farm in Sityi Location, Middledrift.

With more than 30 years of experience in citrus production, Manyonta has built a thriving export-focused farming business that delivers high-quality fruit to consumers across Europe, Asia, North America and beyond. His farm is one of several enterprises supported by the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA), highlighting the impact of strategic investment in emerging and commercial agriculture.

Oakdene Citrus Farm produces a range of premium citrus varieties, including Clementines, Nova, Satsuma and Navel oranges, all cultivated to meet the stringent quality standards required by international buyers.

“Our fruit is exported to several international markets, including Germany, France and the United Kingdom in Europe; China, Japan and other Asian markets; Russia; the United States, including New York, Florida and California; as well as Canada, Turkey and South Korea,” says Manyonta.

Maintaining export-quality citrus requires careful planning and precision throughout the production cycle. Daily operations at Oakdene Citrus Farm include irrigation, fertilisation, weed control, pest and disease management, as well as harvesting, all of which must be completed within strict timeframes to ensure optimum fruit quality.

However, ageing machinery had become a major obstacle for the business. Frequent tractor breakdowns delayed essential spraying programmes and other time-sensitive operations, placing productivity and fruit quality at risk.

Recognising the need for improved mechanisation, the ECRDA provided support that enabled the farm to acquire a new tractor. The investment has transformed day-to-day operations and significantly improved the farm’s operational efficiency.

“Before receiving ECRDA funding, we struggled to complete our spraying programmes on time because of frequent tractor breakdowns. With the arrival of our new tractor, those challenges are now behind us. We now complete our operations within the required timeframes, reduce costs and improve productivity,” Manyonta explains.

The new equipment has enabled Oakdene Citrus Farm to carry out critical farming activities more efficiently, helping the business maintain the high standards demanded by international export markets while reducing operational costs.

The success of Oakdene Citrus Farm demonstrates the value of targeted agricultural support in improving productivity, strengthening export competitiveness and creating sustainable farming enterprises. It also highlights the growing contribution of Eastern Cape citrus farmers to South Africa’s agricultural exports.

As global demand for South African citrus continues to grow, farmers such as Headman Manyonta are proving that investment in modern farming equipment and effective support programmes can unlock greater productivity, enhance competitiveness and reinforce the country’s position as one of the world’s leading citrus exporters.