Lemon export protocol to boost investment, create jobs

22nd June 2021

By: Donna Slater

Features Deputy Editor and Chief Photographer

     

Font size: - +

The recent signing of a revised citrus protocol between South Africa and China by Agriculture, Land Affairs and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza will secure R325-million in new export revenue and create 800 jobs in the industry, the Citrus Growers’ Association of South Africa (CGASA) says.

With local lemon production expected to grow by 175 000 t by 2024, the finalisation of the revised protocol means China will become a critical new market for growth.

Up to now, Argentina and Chile have dominated lemon exports to China.

However, once the revised protocol is in place, South Africa is expected to surpass both countries’ exports, with expectations that South Africa will export 25 000 t of lemons to China by 2024.

The local industry has already enjoyed phenomenal growth in exports to China in recent years, with shipments of grapefruit, orange and soft citrus having reached 130 000 t in 2020.

The revised protocol was six years in the making, following a request submitted by the citrus industry to exempt lemons from the current regulatory requirements for False Coddling Moth in light of the category not being a host for the pest.

In a statement, the CGASA states that the revised protocol will further expand the industry’s reach in the citrus market.

The protocol milestone follows the recent first shipment of South African citrus to the Philippines, which will also result in new export earnings of close to R205-million a year.

The CGASA states that it looks forward to continue working with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, South African embassies, various government authorities and the citrus industry to keep enhancing, expanding and retaining access to key markets including China, the US, India, Philippines, Japan, Vietnam and the European Union.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

The content you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION