South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has denied reports suggesting it has banned banana imports from Tanzania, clarifying that no such ban exists and that a formal application to allow imports is currently under scientific review.
The department issued a statement on Friday in response to media reports indicating that Tanzanian authorities were considering retaliatory trade restrictions amid claims that South Africa had blocked banana imports from the East African nation.
It said there is a strong and cooperative relationship between South Africa and Tanzania in agricultural trade and that it has “never imposed a ban on banana imports from Tanzania.”
The announced that it received an official market access application from Tanzania to export bananas in February.
This triggered a pest risk analysis (PRA) process by the National Plant Protection Organisation of South Africa, a necessary scientific assessment to determine phytosanitary import requirements and safeguard against the spread of harmful pests and diseases.
“It is mutually beneficial for both nations to allow the PRA process to proceed so that scientifically justified phytosanitary import conditions can be developed, conditions which aim to safeguard biosecurity,” the department explained.
The department noted that the process is being conducted in line with international standards, including those of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and aims to develop scientifically justified import conditions.
Once the PRA process is completed, draft phytosanitary requirements will be shared with Tanzanian authorities.
Imports will only begin after both countries agree on the conditions.
The department reiterated that market access for Tanzanian bananas has neither been granted nor denied and that no official communication has been received from Tanzanian authorities about any ban on South African exports.
“As a requirement and in accordance with the World Trade Organisation and IPPC’s international prescripts when dealing with agricultural trade matters, parties officially notify each other in case there will be a ban or lifting of a ban of a particular imported produce, or product.”
In the meantime, South Africa continues to import other agricultural products from Tanzania – including avocados – under existing bilateral trade arrangements.
JN/APA