Amidst growing concerns over neighbouring countries’ citrus import bans, South Africa’s Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen has pledged to engage with Botswana and Namibia to find a mutually beneficial solution.
The Minister, speaking at the Agri Limpopo congress, expressed optimism that a diplomatic resolution could be reached without resorting to trade barriers. “We believe that open dialogue and compromise are essential to maintaining strong regional trade relations,” he stated.
Namibia’s citrus import ban, which has been in place since 2021, is set to expire in 2025. Botswana, on the other hand, has imposed a temporary ban from June to August to protect its domestic agricultural industry.
The move has sparked concerns among South African citrus producers, who rely heavily on exports to neighbouring countries. Opposition leader John Steenhuisen echoed the Minister’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) agreement, which promotes free trade and regional cooperation.
“I am confident that we can find a way to resolve this issue without resorting to trade wars,” Steenhuisen said. “The SACU agreement is clear: we cannot unilaterally close our borders or disrupt the flow of goods.”
As negotiations between South Africa and its neighbours intensify, the outcome of these discussions will have significant implications for the region’s agricultural sector.
