‘SA, Botswana, Namibia can reach agreement over citrus imports ban’

Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen says he will meet with his counterparts from both Botswana and Namibia to find an amicable solution to the ban of South Africa’s citrus imports and other produce.

Namibia imposed the ban between 2021 to 2025 while Botswana is from June until the end of August in order to improve the local production.

Speaking during a two-day Agri Limpopo congress in Modimolle, Limpopo yesterday, Steenhuisen says he believes that the three countries can reach an agreement instead of shutting down the borders.

 He  has expressed disappointment at the ban.

“We believe we can find an amicable solution, I don’t think we need to end up with a situation where you block our products and we block yours. I don’t think it’s helpful to both countries. I hope we will really be able to sit around with the Botswana and Namibia (counterparts) and we two can compromise – we have an agreement in SACU. The agreement is very clear: you cannot just temporarily close borders or shut down industry, now we obviously want to hear Botswana and Namibia’s position on the matter, but I don’t think it can be escalating to trade war.”

PODCAST: Agbiz on Botswana’s announcement to temporarily ban citrus imports: