SA to confront Botswana over import ban on fresh produce

South Africans are pressurizing their government to hold talks with Botswana over the latter’s import restrictions on certain fruits and vegetables from the neighbouring country.

The latest effort to have the ban lifted is likely to come from the Western Cape where provincial agriculture minister, Ivan Meyer, has revealed advanced plans to hold talks with private sector players in Botswana’s agriculture sector to address the matter.

Alongside Namibia, Botswana banned importation of tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, garlic, onions, ginger, turmeric, chilli peppers, butternut, watermelons, sweet peppers, green mealies and fresh herbs with effect from New Year’s Day 2022.