Botswana easing restrictions on SA vegetable imports

We are grateful to our friends in Botswana for easing restrictions on South African vegetable imports.

The great people of Botswana can now enjoy fresh, affordable vegetables from South Africa.

We also look forward to working with our neighbours to help them boost their vegetable production over time, thereby reducing their reliance on South Africa.

We agree that boosting their domestic vegetable production, where the environment permits, should be a priority.

We believe such improvements in vegetables and broader agriculture are possible without trade friction, including frequent import bans that disrupt business activity and put pressure on consumers. A coordinated production approach, with support from South Africa, can help ensure that Botswana meets its objective.

South African industries, such as the Citrus Growers Association, already share the technology with growers across Southern Africa to improve regional production. We are keen on approaches such as those pursued by the Citrus Growers Association in other value chains, all aimed at improving Southern Africa’s agricultural production.

Cooperation is the path to regional agricultural improvement, not to trade restrictions.

We would be grateful if Namibia, which currently has a ban on some South African fresh produce, would consider a policy approach similar to that of our friends in Botswana: easing restrictions on imports.

-wandile