In South Africa, the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) has announced that its board has approved an increase in its APS Act inspection fee of 10.5 per cent for deciduous fruit, including grapes, apples and stonefruit.
The decision was made at the organisation's board meeting on 27 September, as a result of high inflation, soaring petrol and shipping costs and variations in fruit volumes for the upcoming 2009/10 season.
Additionally, the PPECB said that an increase in training initiatives to ensure that members complied with its mandate and requirements had been a factor in the increase.
The current economic climate in the country had placed the PPECB's fees under 'severe pressure', the group said.
'Despite all the factors outlined, PPECB recognises the pressures that the industry is faced with and was therefore able to limit the increase in fees to 10.5 per cent,' said group CEO Luvuyo Mabombo.
All other fees and PPECB levies are set for a review on 1 April 2009.
