SA citrus farmers gain access to Thai markets
Business Day reports that - following negotiations that started 14 years ago - the South African government has concluded a trade agreement with Thailand to establish a new export market for citrus fruit, namely - sweet oranges, mandarins, lemons and grapefruit.
Selby Bokaba, spokesman for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said it had been a lengthy process as the discussions had to consider the World Trade Organisation's prescribed food safety, animal and plant health measures. He said South Africa's citrus growers would now enjoy new export opportunities in markets other then those established in the EU, for example.
Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers Association, said any new market brought opportunities. "There are big retailers in Thailand who are familiar with South African citrus," he said, adding that small shipments would start before August, the end of the South African citrus season, Business Day says.
Read the full article on www.businessday.co.za.
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