Fresh produce in short supply in Bostwana after import ban
While Botswana has its own fresh produce farms, the volumes produced by these are insufficient to meet national demand, hence the country’s reliance on imports from the likes of neighboring SA.
SA retail chain Spar, which also has operations in Botswana, confirmed it was no longer allowed to import a variety of fresh produce for its outlets there.
“The [Botswana] Plant Protection Services have cracked down on border inspections and are removing any banned products from trucks before allowing them into the country,” said Spar’s produce category buyer John White.
White said that while Botswana still currently had sufficient quantities of brinjals and green peppers, tomatoes and potatoes were already in short supply.
“One of the big issues is that the import of potato tubers has also been stopped and local farmers can’t plant for the next crop. Potatoes are a staple food source and this is a major issue going forward,” said White.
source: farmersweekly.co.za
