Beira Port in Mozambique is still not approved for the movement of citrus from Zimbabwe to China so the landlocked country remains compelled to export through Durban, South Africa.
This has been confirmed by the CEO of the Horticultural Development Council of Zimbabwe, Linda Nielsen. She was responding to persistent rumours that fruit destined for China was leaving from Beira, a shorter route from Zimbabwe to the coast.
The council stressed that Zimbabwean citrus exported to China adheres to all phytosanitary requirements and is therefore only loaded out from the Port of Durban.
“Beira Port is not approved for the movement of citrus to China; under a protocol this can only be done through South Africa,” she said.
“So far, we’ve exported 10 x 40' reefers of lemons via Beira Port. All of these have been shipped to Jebel Ali, Dubai for the Middle East market, with all fruit originating from Macheke.”
She points out that no lemons have been exported to China from Zimbabwe at all.
However, discussions are underway to establish a cold storage facility at Beira to enable it as an option.
