THE world's second-largest exporter of citrus fruit after Spain, south Africa, has voluntarily stopped exporting Valencia oranges to the European Union from areas affected by Citrus Black Spot starting September 16.
The decision was taken after the nation's citrus was flagged 10 times for failing to comply with rules relating to the fungal disease and because of the high risk the variety poses at the tail end of the EU export season, the Citrus Growers' Association (CGA) said in an e-mailed statement.
The suspension is another blow to the industry in South Africa, which last year generated export revenue of ZAR30 billion (US$1.72 billion), according to CGA data. Shipments to Europe, South Africa's largest market for citrus, far exceeded ZAR10 billion in 2021, the body said.
Last month exports were stuck at European ports for failing to comply with new EU measures aimed at curbing the spread of the false codling moth, a pest native to sub-Saharan Africa that feeds on fruit.
The 'unjustified and discriminatory' rules are estimated to have cost citrus exporters about ZAR200 million, the CGA said, reports Bloomberg.
The industry is also battling rising farming input costs stemming from Covid-19 and Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a decline in export prices.
Fertilizer prices have jumped by more than 56 per cent between 2020 and 2021, fuel prices have increased by almost the same margin and growers are paying freight charges that are twice as much as what it cost to produce the fruit over an entire year, CGA said.
At the same time real export prices of all citrus varieties have declined, which is expected to continue for the next few years, it said.
SeaNews Turkey
The decision was taken after the nation's citrus was flagged 10 times for failing to comply with rules relating to the fungal disease and because of the high risk the variety poses at the tail end of the EU export season, the Citrus Growers' Association (CGA) said in an e-mailed statement.
The suspension is another blow to the industry in South Africa, which last year generated export revenue of ZAR30 billion (US$1.72 billion), according to CGA data. Shipments to Europe, South Africa's largest market for citrus, far exceeded ZAR10 billion in 2021, the body said.
Last month exports were stuck at European ports for failing to comply with new EU measures aimed at curbing the spread of the false codling moth, a pest native to sub-Saharan Africa that feeds on fruit.
The 'unjustified and discriminatory' rules are estimated to have cost citrus exporters about ZAR200 million, the CGA said, reports Bloomberg.
The industry is also battling rising farming input costs stemming from Covid-19 and Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a decline in export prices.
Fertilizer prices have jumped by more than 56 per cent between 2020 and 2021, fuel prices have increased by almost the same margin and growers are paying freight charges that are twice as much as what it cost to produce the fruit over an entire year, CGA said.
At the same time real export prices of all citrus varieties have declined, which is expected to continue for the next few years, it said.
SeaNews Turkey