The South African citrus industry is experiencing a mix of challenges and opportunities in Asia, according to JWM Asia, a major distributor in the region. While demand for South African lemons is expected to increase in May as supplies of Chinese lemons decline, the grapefruit market in China, Japan, and Korea has been challenging in recent seasons, with a shift in demand towards lower grades. However, there is cautious optimism for the upcoming grapefruit season in Korea due to reduced supply from Israel and the US, as well as the government's tax exemption policy. On the other hand, South African oranges are expected to have a positive season in Asia, benefiting from an early finish to the US season and reduced competition from Egyptian oranges. JWM Asia is particularly excited about the potential for South African oranges in Vietnam following the recent opening of this market. The company also anticipates stronger demand for South African lemons in Hong Kong as the number of visiting tourists slowly recovers and consumption increases. [2b4d6227]