The Tanzanian government has confirmed there is no current embargo on South African agricultural imports. This follows reports suggesting a protectionist ban by South Africa on Tanzanian banana imports.
During a presentation at the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, James Gillawa Bwana, Tanzania's High Commissioner in Pretoria, stated: "I can assure you there is no ban in place against South African imports." His remarks implied that Malawi, reliant on Dar es Salaam's port for imports like bulk fertilizer, is also not affected.
SyndiGate Media earlier reported that South Africa's Department of Agriculture dismissed rumors of a banana import ban from Tanzania. This update follows media discussions on potential Tanzanian countermeasures to South African agricultural restrictions, based on assumptions related to banana trade.
A recent departmental statement highlighted the robust trade relations between the nations. South Africa clarified that it never banned banana imports from Tanzania. Tanzania had applied in February to export bananas to South Africa, initiating the Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) by the National Plant Protection Organisation. This process aims to identify phytosanitary conditions to prevent pest spread.
"These procedures will be carried out in line with applicable phytosanitary regulatory frameworks and the relevant standards of the International Plant Protection Convention. It is in the mutual interest of both countries to allow the PRA process to proceed, so that scientifically sound phytosanitary conditions can be developed to ensure biosecurity," the department noted.
The importance of biosecurity, particularly concerning Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (TR4), a significant global threat to bananas, was reiterated.
Source: Freight News