Last week, South Africa’s Standing Committee on Finance, Economic Opportunities and Tourism met with key stakeholders in the citrus industry at Market Demand Fruits, Stellenbosch. The meeting focused on the detrimental impact on citrus exports to the United States should South Africa not be included in the reauthorisation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Summer Citrus is an umbrella body which represents the entire citrus value chain by working with packagers, the cold store industry, transport businesses, shipping lines and the numerous communities which have benefitted under its empowerment programs. Its formation 25 years ago and success are inextricably tied to South Africa’s inclusion in AGOA.
MPP Cayla Murray: “During the engagement, I learnt that Western Cape is the only province in the country that can export citrus to the US due to phytosanitary concerns. It was further highlighted, that despite fierce global competition, the Western Cape’s citrus exports are the US’s preferred product due to the quality of our products.”
Source: politicsweb.co.za