Rwanda has lifted a ban on selected South African produce imports that had been in place since 2017 following a Listeria outbreak that affected more than 1,000 people. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, the original restriction was introduced to safeguard public health from Listeria monocytogenes.
The 2017 notice suspended the import of fruits and vegetables from South Africa. The measure was taken during a listeriosis outbreak that began in 2017 and was declared over in September 2018, with 1,065 confirmed cases and at least 218 deaths.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources stated that the suspension has now been removed after verification and confirmation by relevant authorities regarding the listeriosis situation in South Africa. The ministry also acknowledged the cooperation of importers, traders, and the public during the precautionary period.
Tiger Brands remains involved in a class action related to the outbreak. Earlier in 2025, the company made an undisclosed conditional settlement offer to certain victims, without admission of liability. The offer applied to claimants connected to listeriosis caused by sequence type (ST) 6. This included claimants who contracted, or whose mothers contracted, the illness caused by ST6, as well as claimants whose legal breadwinners or legal dependents died of or contracted listeriosis caused by ST6.
In February 2025, Tiger Brands provided interim relief through advance payments for claimants with urgent medical needs. The company indicated it is assessing options for resolving the broader class action.
With the ban lifted, Rwandan buyers can resume sourcing selected South African fruits and vegetables following completion of the official review.
Source: Food Safety News
