After years of negotiation and dealing with technical issues, the South African Apple and Pear Producers’ Association (SAAPPA) has announced that the Apple Export Protocol to enable apple exports to China has been approved and signed.
The protocol was signed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestries and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana and the Minister AQSIQ, Zhi Shuping, during a state visit to the People’s Republic of China in Beijing on 4 December.
According to a statement issued by Hortgro on behalf of the SAAPPA, the deal culminates an eight-year process between the two countries and will enable the South African industry to expand its ever-broadening marketing footprint.
Tapping into the Chinese market has been a major priority for the industry for more than a decade and should act as a springboard to more effectively access other markets in Asia.
Apples are currently exported to 8 primary destinations including Africa, the Far East and Asia, the UK, the Middle East, Continental Europe (including Russia) and smaller volumes to the Indian Ocean Islands, the US and Canada. By adding China to the destination list, Hortgro noted that the fruit industry will continue to create more job opportunities in primary and secondary agriculture. Further market access will also support further growth and economic development which in turn will enhance land reform transformation and new plantings in the industry.
A similar process to also open this market for South African pears has already started after which various other fruits, including stonefruit, will follow. It is trusted that the process to formalise further protocols will be fast tracked given that the fruit exporting industry could prove compliant with international best practice in terms of food safety and phyto-sanitary requirements.
In his reaction to the signing of the protocol, Nicholas Dicey, chairman of SAAPPA, expressed his sincere appreciation and thanks to the Ministry and Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), particularly the Plant Health and Plant Inspection divisions of the Department and South African Embassy personnel in Beijing, for their endeavours to finalise the protocol with their counterparts in China.
He also thanked industry technical specialists for their critical role in supporting the government officials with technical and scientific data over an extended period of time.
“This was a real team effort and augers well for future cooperation between industry and government”, he noted.
Anton Rabe, executive director of Hortgro, confirmed that the industry had been proactive in preparing for the possible export of apples from the 2015 season.
After the very successful verification visit of Chinese quarantine (AQSIQ) officials earlier in 2014, the industry has prepared the required orchard and export registration lists which could be provided to AQSIQ as soon as it is requested. Once the Chinese quarantine officials have approved and signed off on this list, exports could commence immediately.
