The South African government has urgently requested a meeting with Botswana officials following the extension of a ban on fresh produce imports from South Africa until 2025.
The ban, initially implemented in 2022 to support Botswana’s local agriculture sector by reducing reliance on imports, has been extended, and additional items have been added to the restricted list.
South Africa’s Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development minister, Thoko Didiza, will engage in a bilateral meeting to discuss any potential negative impact on trade relations between the two countries. The ban has led to revenue losses for South African farmers due to a decrease in demand.
