In the face of growing challenges in South Africa’s traditional export markets. Government has committed to helping SA citrus farmers to strengthen ties with its Brics partners, particularly China and India. “When we meet Brics agriculture ministers later in the year, we will discuss this further,” agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson said recently. SA is the world’s biggest exporter of oranges and the largest shipper of grapefruit. Joemat-Pettersson said while the trade regime of citrus with China was “a bit complicated”, the government was committed to entering negotiations to help ease matters. She said the African continent was another new export destination.
