Page 10 - SA Fruit Journal VOLUME 14

CHINA ACCESS, A STEPPING STONE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN APPLE INDUSTRYAfter years of negotiation and dealing with technical issues, the South African Apple and Pear Producers’ Association (SAAPPA) 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, Mr Senzeni Zokwana and the Minister AQ- SIQ: Mr Zhi Shuping during a state visit to the People’s Republic of China in Beijing on 4 December 2014. This culminates an eight year process between the two countries and will enable the SA industry to expand its ever broadening marketing footprint.Tapping into this market has been a ma- jor priority in the industry for more than a decade and should act as a springboard to also more effectively access other markets in Asia. Apples are currently exported to eight primary destinations including Africa, the Far East and Asia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Continental Europe (includ- ing Russia) and smaller volumes to the In- dian Ocean Islands, the USA and Canada. By adding China to the destination list, 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 de- velopment which in turn will enhance land reform transformation and new plantings in the industry.A similar process to also open this mar- ket for South African pears has already start- ed after which various other fruits, including stone fruit, will follow. It is trusted that the process to formalise further protocols will be fast tracked, given that the fruit exporting industry could prove compliance with inter-national best practice in terms of food safety and phytosanitary requirements.In his reaction to the signing of the pro- tocol, Nicholas Dicey, chairman of SAAP- PA, expressed his sincere appreciation and thanks to the Ministry and Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), particularly the Plant Health and Plant In- spection divisions of the Department and South African Embassy personnel in Bei- jing, for their endeavours to work hard and 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 oftime. “This was a real team effort and augers well for future cooperation between industry and government”, he concluded.Anton Rabe, Executive Director of HORTGRO, confirmed that the industry has been proactive in preparing for the possible exports of apples as from the 2015 season. After the very successful verifica- tion visit of Chinese quarantine (AQSIQ) officials in 2014, the industry has prepared the required orchard and export registra- tion lists which could be provided to AQ- SIQ as soon as it is requested. Once the Chi- nese quarantine officials have approved and signed off on this list, exports could com- mence immediately.INDUSTRY NEWS7 FEB | MARCH 2015BEDRYFSNUUSindustry news