Namibian grapes get the US nod

STARTING TOMORROW (October 6), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will permit the importation of Namibian grapes. The department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service amended its fruit import regulations to permit Namibian fresh table grapes to enter the lucrative American market on a short-term provisional basis that becomes permanent on October 23. The Grape Valley Management Company told FTW that grapes must undergo cold treatment and fumigation. When the grapes reach dockside in the States, they require a phytosanitary certificate from Namibian authorities.