More South African citrus fruits will be heading to the US under a new agreement. Early this month, the US government announced the opening of several new ports for South African citrus fruits. The US department of agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service approved the use of additional ports for South African citrus on November 5. The US embassy said the facilitation of the trade between the two countries provided flexibility to American retailers and wholesalers, lowering transportation costs and broadening the reach of South African citrus to other regions.
According to research, South Africa shipped a record of more than 77 000 tons of citrus fruits to the US this year – 68% more than last year. Previously, the local citrus was limited to only four ports and had long sought access to other US ports. Justin Chadwick, the CEO of the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa, said: “With this announcement, exports will be allowed to any US port that has cold storage facilities, including the strategically important ports of Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.
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Source:
Thuletho Zwane
City Press, News24.com