Mmegi

SA counts the costs of veggie import bans

High demand: The vegetable import ban has been extended to December 2025
High demand: The vegetable import ban has been extended to December 2025

South Africa’s vegetable exports to Botswana dropped 55% in value in the first year of the import ban imposed by Gaborone. With other SACU states considering similar moves, the region’s “minnows” are forcing a shakeup, writes MBONGENI MGUNI

South African agricultural economists estimate that the value of the country’s vegetable exports to Botswana dropped by 55% in 2022, the first year of the partial horticultural import ban imposed by Gaborone to boost local production.

The figures released recently are the first indication of the impact of the import ban effected in January 2022 by government.

Editor's Comment
Public servants deserve better than union infighting

‘The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people of all nations and tongues and kindreds’.- Abraham LincolnUntil then, the Council’s operations remain suspended, delaying critical decisions affecting thousands of public sector employees.The current standoff is between the Manual Workers Union on one side and the Six Cooperating Trade Unions, namely BONU, BOPEU, BTU, BDU, BOSETU and...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up