9% increase in value for citrus exports to EU

While export volumes were down, the value of South African citrus exports to the European Union (EU) increased by 9% in value in 2014.

EU ambassador to South Africa, Roeland van de Geer, was cited by daily newspaper Business Report as saying that the decision by exporters to stop certain consignments from entering the trade bloc because of citrus black spot (CBS) concerns had resulted in a drop in export volumes. Higher prices in Europe had however brought about an increase in value.

Van de Geer pointed out that after the citrus industry had stopped exporting from CBS-affected areas, it had improved its system for weeding out CBS-infected fruit. He said a team from the EU’s Food and Veterinary Office had recently visited South Africa and concluded that South Africa’s measures complied with EU legislation.