Volumes fall hopelessly short of expectations
HOPES FOR a R50-million cash flow from citrus exports to the USA last year foundered on the rocks of America's stringent phytosanitary regulations.
We were hoping to export between 500 000 and one million cartons in this first year, said Neil Oosthuizen, marketing g.m. of Outspan - the citrus marketing operation. But we only did 100 000 cartons, because fruit was rejected by the US inspectors.
With all the other main export markets already nicely opened, Outspan was hoping to break open the doors of the giant North American market - kept near-closed during the days of sanctions. But that country's rules and regulations on fruit quality and bug-free cleanliness are rated more stringent than most other developed-world markets - except perhaps Japan.
One demand these rules make is citrus fruit being held at -0.6 degrees centigrade for 21 days to sterilise it. Citrus, according to Oosthuizen, is never really held at temperatures as low as that.
But, technically we managed the process, he said, and had about a 94% success rate. We can meet their requirements.
The research into the problem has revealed that only the Western Cape, so far, can be declared an acceptable supply area for the US market. It has been registered as a black spot free region.
But parts of the Eastern Cape are also black spot free, said Oosthuizen, and we are working on getting these accepted for US off-take as well.
Preferences in the US market are for clementines (an easy peeler, said Oosthuizen), navels (very keen on them), and seedless Valentia types (Midnights and Dellas).
The season about to start in April (to August/September) is expected to show better results than last year, although Oosthuizen is loathe to predict exact numbers at this stage.
By Alan Peat
