Tons of oranges, rotting in containers blocked in European ports, risk destruction.

The situation is due to a trade dispute between South Africa and the European Union (EU) over import rules.

In July, the EU introduced new phytosanitary requirements.

South Africa, the world's second largest exporter of fresh citrus fruits after Spain, immediately lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), believing that these new measures threatened the survival of the sector.

False codling moth control

The measures came into force when hundreds of containers were already sailing to Europe.

The ships were therefore blocked on arrival.

“This is a complete and utter disaster,” commented Justin Chadwick, CEO of the South African Citrus Growers Association (CGA).

“Food of exceptional quality, which does not pose any risk, vegetates there… It is truly a disaster.

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The new rules aim to tackle the potential spread of the false codling moth, an African parasite that lodges in oranges and grapefruits.

The EU requires extreme cold treatment of all oranges destined for European tables and holding at temperatures below or equal to 2°C for 25 days.

South African producers, who already have more targeted means to prevent infestation, consider these measures unnecessary.

In its complaint to the WTO, the exporting country argues that these requirements are “not based on scientific data”, that they are “discriminatory”, excessive, and place additional stress on an already proven sector.

60 trading days

Europe is the biggest market for South African citrus.

The sector employs more than 120,000 people in a country where more than one person in three is unemployed.

The new rules, which came at the height of the orange season, caught producers off guard.

The dispute is now in the hands of the WTO.

The parties have 60 days to negotiate a solution.

Failing this, the plaintiff may request arbitration by a panel.

For its part, the EU expressed confidence in the “compatibility of its measures with WTO rules”.

The CGA hopes for its part that “common sense” will prevail and that a quick solution can be found.

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  • Fruits

  • Import

  • South Africa

  • European Union (EU)

  • Health

  • Economy