Stock Image Pixabay
A new bilateral protocol has been established, opening the Vietnamese market to South African oranges.
The good news was announced by the Department of Agriculture and the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA) ahead of the 2024 citrus export season, which will ramp up in April.
A joint statement, issued on Thursday said the Vietnam market offers an export potential of 15,000 tons of oranges, leading to more job opportunities and revenue generation.
This historic protocol comes almost a decade after a change in Vietnamese import regulations necessitated a new protocol.
Opening new export opportunities to drive export-led inclusive growth of the agricultural sector is part of the Department's strategy and commitment to support farmers.
Minister Thoko Didiza reaffirmed this position in 2023 when she addressed the CGA's Citrus Summit, encouraging the industry players to work with the Department to expedite greater market access for citrus in the East.
"Phytosanitary necessities have since been agreed on by Vietnam and South Africa. A recent final adjustment was the removal of two pests from the official pest list. A new cold treatment protocol was set out in the phytosanitary import requirements document by the Plant Protection Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam."
The opening of the Vietnam market is a major win for the citrus industry, especially considering that the South African citrus industry has the potential to increase its exports from 165 million to 260 million cartons in the next eight years if all role-players work together.
