South Africa interrupted the export of citrus for Europe due to black spot

The Citrus Growers Association of South Africa today issued a statement in which he asserts that exports to Europe will stop tomorrow. This involves, say, one month in advance regarding the date on which usually citrus shipments to the continent, which is usually the October 15 stop. The move comes after the disease is detected black spot on nine occasions over the past year in batches of imported citrus from South Africa to Europe. European countries citrus producers, mainly the South, have for years protesting the health risk posed by this circumstance to their shipments.

The South African Association says that of those nine detections, “today one has been revoked, and this can keep happening,” so we can say that are “less than last year.” Consequently, they are “satisfied with the evolution of this season.” However, although “we could have followed (exporting), we show that we are responsible for export. Europe is a good market and at this time of year does not want to risk more interceptions”.

Meanwhile, Valencia AVA agricultural organization Asaja qualifies this gesture of “pantomime” and “diversion”. They believe that if they were truly sensitive to their health problems, would not have expected to September 17 to stop exports since detections occurred in June, July and August. AVA Asaja recalls that the South African black spot is a recurring problem for years, and that South Africa already voluntarily stopped exports last year at the end of the campaign. The Valencian organization calls on the EU to take “decisive action” to avoid the risk of introducing the disease in European crops.