Selebi Phikwe Citrus Eyes 65,000-Tonne V7Export Boom in 2026

Selebi Phikwe Citrus Eyes 65,000-Tonne Export Boom in 2026. Selebi Phikwe Citrus, one of Botswana’s largest agribusiness ventures, is setting its sights on exporting 65,000 tonnes of citrus fruits in 2026, marking a more than threefold increase from this year’s 21,000 tonnes.

Non-Executive Director Ramachandran Ottapathu made the announcement during an entrepreneurship event hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Botswana, where he urged local entrepreneurs to think big and invest in scalable, export-driven industries that can transform communities.

Since its first harvest in 2024, Selebi Phikwe Citrus has steadily established itself as a key player in Botswana’s agricultural diversification efforts. The farm produced 5,000 tonnes in its debut season before expanding to 21,000 tonnes this year, and it now aims to triple exports as operations mature and infrastructure expands.

Currently, the company exports a variety of citrus fruits—including oranges, mandarins, lemons, grapefruits, and navels—to international markets such as the United States, South Korea, and India. With strong production growth and quality standards, the company now plans to enter the Chinese market and explore new opportunities in Asia and the Middle East.

Ottapathu highlighted that Selebi Phikwe Citrus is not only an export success story but also a model for public-private partnerships that can boost employment and stimulate local economies. The project has already created thousands of jobs and supports smallholder farmers through training and market access.

“The Selebi Phikwe story shows that large-scale agriculture can thrive in Botswana when backed by innovation, partnerships, and determination,” he said.

As Botswana continues to push for economic diversification and food export growth, Selebi Phikwe Citrus stands as a symbol of what sustainable agribusiness can achieve when vision meets execution.