Last week, the US agriculture department's animal and plant health inspection service (Aphis) granted entry rights for Egyptian oranges and tangerines, subject to certain phytosanitary measures.
The fruit must reportedly be treated in accordance with 7 CFR part 305 for Mediterranean fruit fly and peach fruit fly, while also bearing a phytosanitary certificate issed by Egypt's national plant protection organisation stating that the consignment has started or already undergone treatment for these pests.
It must also include a declaration confirming that the fruit was inspected and found free of peach fruit fly.
Egyptian oranges were permitted to enter the US between 1969 and 2002 before being halted due to the presence of peach fruit fly. The lifting of the ban is a positive development, but the logistical costs linked to sending to the US could continue to limit volumes sent, at least in the short-term.
