This is a move that has reignited a long-standing trade dispute currently before the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The SA Citrus Growers Association (CGA) has called for the expedited resolution of its case at the WTO, aiming for final relief from what it describes as "unscientific and unnecessarily trade restrictive" measures imposed by the EU.

"The EU's reasons for applying these CBS measures have not changed. It’s regrettable that the EU is set to continue the measures," said CGA Chief Executive Officer Justin Chadwick. "SA's position is still that CBS measures are unscientific and unnecessarily trade restrictive. Recently, the Bureau of Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) quantified the total cost of CBS risk management for our growers in excess of R2 billion ($108 804) per year.

Every year these unnecessary measures continue, the cost to our growers racks up."

Chadwick revealed that the trade dispute has now advanced to the panel phase at the WTO, but a resolution before the 2025 citrus season seems unlikely. "Trade disputes like this are complicated and they take time, but we hope that the matter will be settled as soon as possible. It’s not unrealistic for the issue to be finalised before the 2026 season," he added.

With the EU accounting for about a third of SA's total citrus exports, finding alternative markets has become a priority for the South African government. "Should the EU market diminish or be closed to SA, other markets just will not be able to absorb the citrus. Our citrus production has increased considerably in the past few years, and we need expanded market access across the board," said Chadwick.

He highlighted that India, China, and expanded access to the United States hold the greatest potential for growth. "At our citrus summit, the Minister of Agriculture acknowledged the importance of increased market access."

As SA hosts the EU Commission and council leaders at the SA-European Union summit, Chadwick expressed hope that the CBS measures would be addressed. "I'm a bit surprised at how little media coverage this summit has received. Europe is our biggest trading partner, and this is such an important meeting," he noted.

"These measures are a huge burden to our growers and hold back new entrants and emerging growers because they’re more financially exposed. It is in South Africa's interest that the science is followed on these measures. We've always said that everything should be scientifically based, but it's also in the interest of the European consumer. They love SA citrus, and we supply them in the summer when we do not really compete with their local citrus growers."

Chadwick concluded by emphasising the importance of maintaining the European market for SA citrus. "High-quality SA citrus and its unique taste hold the EU consumers in the citrus category so that they don’t start eating other types of products. They stay loyal to citrus, and then we hand over the consumers to the local EU growers at the end of our season."

--ChannelAfrica--