Barriers lifted for citrus exports to Thailand and Korea

It’s been a long and winding road, but SA citrus fruit exports to Thailand are just about to begin, according to Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA). “Twice in the last ten years,” he told FTW, “SA has had a draft protocol for citrus access to Thailand on the table – only to have regime changes in Thailand result in the process being derailed. “Now, finally, after ten years, a protocol has been signed and gazetted that confirms the procedures for exports to Thailand to commence. Thai officials visited SA in March this year. And it only needs to be confirmed that this visit “audited the export certification procedure” as required in the protocol – and then export activity can begin.” It has been a multi-party exercise, involving the minister for agriculture, forestries and fisheries, Tina Joemat-Pettersson and her staff; Citrus Research International (CRI); and the department of international relations and co-operation (Dirco) – in particular Ambassador Franki Verwey, past Ambassador Douglas Gibson and the embassy staff in Thailand. “They didn’t give up on their efforts to gain access to this fruitful market and eventually gained access to it for citrus,” he added. There is also further good news, according to Chadwick, as grapefruit and lemons have gained access to South Korea. “On June 1 we received a communication from the Republic of Korea saying that the animal, plant and fisheries Quarantine and Inspection Agency (QIA) had made a determination to allow the entry of the fresh citrus fruits, lemon and grapefruit, from SA. The import requirements for fresh citrus have been posted on the QIA’s website dated June 1, and effective from the same day.” Chadwick also noted that the final agreement between the two countries had been reflected in the final import requirements. Growers have been urged to make sure that the import requirements are implemented.