THE MONOPOLY of the Deciduous Fruit Board on the marketing of SA fruit products abroad has begun to loosen after Agricultural minister Derek Hanekom ordered it to issue export permits.
The board, which has had a firm grip on export volumes, applied a rigid quota system dictating the amount of produce a farmer could sell overseas.
Farmers were prevented from selling fruit to Europe, the USA and Middle East without board approval. However, following an appeal by a number of Western Cape farmers, Hanekom ordered the board to grant permits allowing them to export to these areas for the 1997 season.
