HORTGRO spoke to Wolfe Braud, Agbiz Fruitdesk Manager
South African deciduous fruit may have access to new markets in the coming years, thanks to two new trade agreements. In the meantime, however, a new tariff for fruit has been introduced in East Africa.
Trade with other African countries has historically been difficult due to logistics, governance, and complex border control requirements. However, these countries hold significant potential for South African exporters.
If the two massive African trade agreements currently nearing completion can address challenges and barriers to trade, South African companies could benefit from a larger playing field. These trade agreements are the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement (TFTA). Though in their final stages, neither of these agreements are functional yet. It is expected that duty-free trade will only begin in 2023 or early 2024.
The AfCFTA covers the entire African continent (although Eritrea hasn’t signed on) and has fifty-four signatory states making it the largest in the world. The TFTA comprises three existing trade blocs – the East African Community (EAC), SADC and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) with a total of nearly thirty signatory states.
Source: hortgro.co.za