Killer flu scuttles fruit exporters’ plans

Ray Smuts LAST WEEK’S World Health Organisation advisory for travellers to give Hong Kong and China’s Guangdong province a wide berth due to the killer virus flu outbreak is almost certain to scuttle two important export events and in the process deny South Africa the opportunity of displaying its fruit producing prowess. The international HOFEX trade fair is scheduled to take place in Hong Kong from May 6-9, followed immediately thereafter by the Asian Food Congress in Shanghai. As the outbreak gathers momentum it seems increasingly unlikely that the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum’s newly refurbished stand, which made its debut in Berlin last year, will be put to use. Aside from the Forum, South African attendees were to include the Perishable Products Export Control Board, Afrifresh/ Sunpride and Dole. “A lot of us are very nervous about the outbreak. We would rather live to fight another day,” says Forum CEO Stuart Symington. Known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, the outbreak has already killed 78 people and infected 2 300 worldwide.