New South African fruit industry body, Hortgro Services, has claimed the poor quality of imported fruit, especially stonefruit, has given rise to numerous consumer complaints in recent months.
The volume of fresh fruit imported during the South African off-season between June and September has increased dramatically in recent years. Grapes and stonefruit in particular are being imported from Southern Europe and North Africa to take advantage of the country’s growing consumer market.
Increasing volumes of imported berries and cherries, along with kiwifruit from both Italy and New Zealand, have also found their way onto South African shelves. During the South African summer, between November and early February, it is common to find imported avocados and citrus on the South African market.
Anton Rabe, executive director of Hortgro, said that the organisation has received a lot of calls from consumers complaining about the appearance and eating quality of stonefruit in particular in recent months.
“Due to the seasonality of fruit production, such products were imported. Due to various reasons, imported fruit does not have the eating or keeping quality which South African consumers are used to and demand,” he said.
Well-known South African Exporter and Importer, Fruit & Veg City International, has contested Mr Rabe’s statement by saying that the quality and taste of imported produce have been excellent this season.
“It is the best quality and taste year we have ever had with imported stonefruit and our customers are generally very happy with the season,” he said.
Mr Rabe encouraged consumers to complain when they are unable to purchase products that conform to their needs and expectations. “Consumers should know that when produce leaves farms and pack houses, they are in mint condition. If products ends up otherwise, someone in the handling chain botched up and should be held accountable, not the growers.”
Imported produce has also been selling at premium prices during a time of the year when the South African market is virtually flooded with local category lines such as apples, citrus and bananas.
