South Africa is escalating its confrontation with the European Union over citrus trade restrictions, taking steps towards lodging a complaint with the World Trade Organization. The African nation has initiated consultations with the EU at the WTO to address the dispute concerning citrus purchases. Ebrahim Patel, South Africa’s trade minister, expressed dissatisfaction with the EU’s measures, alleging them to be unjustified, disproportionate, and inappropriate.
The EU imposed stringent requirements two years ago, mandating additional refrigeration for incoming fruit from South Africa, the second-largest citrus exporter globally after Spain, to combat Citrus Black Spot. South African producers are compelled to demonstrate costly tree spraying and undergo rigorous inspections at orchards and packing houses. Despite South Africa’s $644 million citrus export to the EU in 2023, the EU’s measures have escalated costs for the country. South Africa maintains that Citrus Black Spot only affects fruit skin appearance and does not impact quality or spread to other plants at this stage.
The Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa estimates the EU’s regulations to result in over 500 million rand ($26 million) in lost exports due to a shortage of specialized refrigerated containers. Thoko Didiza, South Africa’s agriculture minister, emphasizes the industry’s inability to afford the substantial costs required for compliance with the EU’s regulations.
The EU mission to South Africa has yet to respond to requests for comment, while the WTO confirms being uninformed about South Africa’s statement. South Africa exported approximately $2.5 billion worth of agricultural products to the EU last year, with a third of its citrus exports destined for the EU.
Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers Association, warns that maintaining EU restrictions could stifle the industry’s growth potential, potentially costing billions in exports and thousands of jobs.
