Citrusdal, South Africa – Representatives committed to the success of South Africa’s Summer Citrus export program to the United States gathered in the heart of one of South Africa’s citrus growing regions in late March. The annual planning session includes growers, exporters, U.S. based importers, shipping partners, receivers/service providers, and government representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.) and South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (DAFF) as well as South Africa Minister of Agriculture to the U.S., Ms. Vangile Titi-Msumza and the U.S. Consul General to Cape Town, Ms. Erica Barks- Ruggles.
“Each entity represented is vital to the success of the program,” said Suhanra Conradie, CEO of the Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum. “We get together here to listen to one another and address questions and concern and avoid potential problems before the season gets started.”
The export of citrus to the U.S. enters its 15th year with the 2014 season. The market opened to South Africa in 1999 and was enhanced with the signing of the Africa Growth and Opportunity treaty in 2000. A.G.O.A. is in consideration for renewal in 2015.
In remarks to those in attendance, Consul General Erica Barks-Ruggles lauded the W.C.C.P.F. for the growth in the program since it began. “South Africa’s agricultural citrus exports are one of the country’s largest success stories for increased access to the United States under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. Just to give you one example of the growing benefits A.G.O.A. confers on South Africa, consider fresh oranges. Exports of oranges from South Africa to the United States hit a new record in 2013, with nearly $57 million in sales or over 39,000 metric tons in exports. This is a 40 percent jump in value and a 25 percent increase in quantity compared to 2009 and two orders of magnitude (nearly 800 percent) increase since the program started in 1999. Do you know what else grew along with those numbers? South African jobs: new exports mean new jobs. It is estimated that the development of the U.S. market for summer citrus has generated 20,000 permanent jobs in those areas approved for shipment to the United States and up to 80,000 temporary positions supporting as many as 120,000 South Africans families. Citrus exports put South Africans to work: that is the real benefit of programs like this one.”
CEO Conradie echoed Ms. Barks-Ruggles. “The A.G.O.A. treaty has been very beneficial to Africa as a whole and especially here in South Africa,” she said. “The return has enabled the creation of jobs here and in the U.S. Further, the expansion of the citrus program over 15 years has enabled us to reinvest in our Harvest of Hope program for formerly disadvantaged here in South Africa. As a result, better healthcare and education as well as job advancement opportunities are available and supported by the citrus program. But it is only a beginning and it is crucial that A.G.O.A be renewed so that we can continue to create opportunities for all of South Africa’s citizens.”
In preparation for the upcoming season, DAFF has been in the citrus region inspecting farms to assure ongoing regulatory compliance. In feedback to the growers, DAFF reports being very pleased with the consistent efforts the citrus growers make to reduce the occurrences of false codling moth (FCM). The number of infested fruit has fallen consistently to less than 0.05 per tree in 2014 as compared to 0.48 in 2012 and 0.19 in 2013. Controlling FCM includes raising and sterilizing male moths, and releasing them for mating when no offspring are produced.
“Our program to the U.S. is successful in large part due to the collaboration of DAFF and the U.S.D.A. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service division,” said Ms. Conradie. “Working together and with the growers, we are able to assure compliance and avert issues before they become problems.”
South African citrus sold in the United States comes primarily from the region near Citrusdal about two hours northwest of Cape Town, the Northern Cape near Kimberly, and the northwest along the Orange River, near Upington. The WCCPF facilitates logistical, marketing and sales support coordination of products for its members. Its mission is to maintain and expand its role as the preferred and reliable supplier of fresh and safe summer citrus for the U.S.
Source: Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum