Developing new markets
must remain a priority
for the South African
perishable sector.
Justin Chadwick, CEO
of the Citrus Growers’
Association (CGA), told
FTW the biggest challenges
faced by industry were
market access, tariff issues
in many
countries and
protectionism
in the
European
Union.
The
ongoing
global
economic
turmoil has
also impacted
significantly
on the country’s traditional
markets making it
imperative to find new
ones.
“China and India remain
most attractive in terms
of volume opportunity,” he
said. “We are hopeful that
our citrus will be making
its way into the Philippine
market before the close of
the 2016 season.”
He said this was still
pending approval of
regulatory procedures, but
it was looking good.
Philippines imported
73 653 tons of citrus in
2015 of
which more
than 50%
came from
China. Other
countries
that export to
this market
are Pakistan,
Argentina,
Australia and
the USA.
Chadwick
said hopes were high
for the reopening of
the Philippines, while
Indonesia was another
promising market.
“Indonesia accepted
South Africa’s food safety
system and granted mutual
country recognition earlier
this year,” he said.
It undoubtedly
establishes a new trading
regime that will ease
the import process
and documentation
requirements. It also opens
up the port of Jakarta as an
entry point into Indonesia,
said Anton Rabe, Hortgro
executive director.
Products in the
quarantine approval
include apples,
apricots, cherries, citrus
fruits, grapes, peaches,
pears, peanuts, plums and
prunes.
According to Chadwick
countries like South Korea
have also shown a big
appetite for South African
fruit – especially grapefruit.
Alan Winde, minister
of economic opportunities
in the Western Cape, told
FTW that South Africa had
a comparative advantage
in the agricultural sector
with fruit and wine from
the country being the most
competitive offerings.
“Developing new markets
has to be our priority,”
he said. “Asia offers great
opportunity but also
Africa.”
Chadwick agreed saying
there was untapped
potential for increased
export into Africa.
INSERT & CAPTION
Hopes are high
for reopening the
Philippines.
– Justin Chadwick
Fruit exporters focus on market diversification
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