Citrus exporters face uncertain future

After what DAL Agency managing director Ron Frick describes as a very good reefer season in 2013, an uncertain future awaits SA citrus exporters for the year ahead. The European Union banned most imports of South African citrus at the end of last year over fears that citrus black spot (CBS) could spread to the 28-nation bloc. “In 2013, around 600 000 tons of citrus fruit was imported from South Africa, although this is explicitly against EU´s import requirements,” the EC said last year. “The introduction of CBS into the EU territory would pose a serious threat to the EU’s citrus producing areas.” The new EU measures applied to citrus fruit produced during the 2012- 2013 growing season. “We’re not sure what the implications of these citrus regulations will be for 2014,” said Frick, “but talking to our larger exporters they’re still focused on sending the bulk of their citrus to Europe. “The ban came at the end of the season so that it was more of a token gesture because it was announced after the duty deadline and most citrus had already been shipped.” While several experts maintain that the CBS is not transferable and is rather a discolouration which makes the fruit less attractive to the buyer, the EU appears not to be backing down. INSERT & CAPTION We're not sure what the implications of these citrus regulations will be for 2014. – Ron Frick