South African ambassador welcomed by citrus reps
Ms. Thulisile Mathula Nkosi, Consul General introduces Ambassador Mninwa Mahlangu, Ambassador of South Africa to the United States at a reception highlighting the South African Summer Citrus export program to the US.
In addition to the Ambassador, the delegation included: Counsel General Ms. Thulisile Mathula Nkosi, Counsel General to the Consulate of New York, Ms. Nowetu Luti, Deputy Chief of Mission to the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C.,Ms. Vangile Titi-Msumza, Minister of Agriculture to the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C., Ms. Lebogang Mokwena, Consul to the Consulate of New York, Mr. Dion van Tonder, Consul to the Consulate of New York
Since 1999, South Africa’s WCCPF has exported summer citrus to the US from June through October when citrus grown in the US is less available. The program has expanded with nearly 50,000 tons of citrus from South Africa annually entering the US market.
Guests to the event included representatives from the offices of US Senators and Congressman, importers, shippers, and representatives from the Produce Marketing Association & United Fresh. From left to right, John J. Toner, V of United Fresh, Gerrit van der Merwe, director of the Western Cape Citrus producers Forum, and Joseph Hill, of the office of Senator Robert Casey (Pa.).
Mr. Gerrit van der Merwe, citrus grower and director of the Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum, thanked the United States for the recent renewal of the African Growth & Opportunity Act and highlighted the collaboration between the two countries.
“The US consumer is the winner from a solid commercial, government and political relationship that enables fresh citrus to be available in the US 12 months of the year. We respect the US consumers’ commitment to domestically grown citrus and exit the market here when fruit from the US becomes available,” he said.
Left to right: Ms. Vangile Titi-Msumza, Minister of Agriculture of South Africa to the United States and H.E. Ambassador Mninwa Mahlangu, Ambassador of South Africa to the United States.
Mr. van der Merwe reported economies in the US and in South Africa benefit from the South African Summer Citrus program, pointing out that it creates and sustains thousands of jobs in both countries.
Ambassador Mahlangu said the Summer Citrus program is a model for other industries in South Africa, such as mangos and avocados, and described how the investment in products from South Africa with the renewal of the African Growth & Opportunity Act enables an overall economic growth of South Africa to produce additional products and goods for export to the US and elsewhere.