South Africa’s exporters of Summer Citrus, the Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum WCCPF), welcomed H.E. Ambassador Mninwa Mahlangu, South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States at a reception at the Port of Philadelphia in Gloucester City, New Jersey.
In addition to the Ambassador, the delegation included:
- Counsel General Ms. Thulisile Mathula Nkosi, Counsel General to the Consulate of New York
- Ms. Nowetu Luti, Deputy Chief of Mission to the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C.
- Ms. Vangile Titi-Msumza, Minister of Agriculture to the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C.
- Ms. Lebogang Mokwena, Consul to the Consulate of New York
- Mr. Dion van Tonder, Consul to the Consulate of New York
Since 1999, South Africa’s WCCPF has exported summer citrus to the US from June through October when citrus grown in the US is less available. The program has expanded with nearly 50,000 tons of citrus from South Africa annually entering the US market.
Mr. Gerrit van der Merwe, citrus grower and director of the Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum, thanked the United States for the recent renewal of the African Growth & Opportunity Act and highlighted the collaboration between the two countries.
“The US consumer is the winner from a solid commercial, government and political relationship that enables fresh citrus to be available in the US 12 months of the year. We respect the US consumers’ commitment to domestically grown citrus and exit the market here when fruit from the US becomes available,” he said.
Mr. van der Merwe reported economies in the US and in South Africa benefit from the South African Summer Citrus program, pointing out that it creates and sustains thousands of jobs in both countries.
Ambassador Mahlangu said the Summer Citrus program is a model for other industries in South Africa, such as mangos and avocados, and described how the investment in products from South Africa with the renewal of the African Growth & Opportunity Act enables an overall economic growth of South Africa to produce additional products and goods for export to the US and elsewhere.
Photo Caption: Mr. Bryan Silbermann, CEO of Produce Marketing Association speaks with Ms. Vangile Titi-Msumza, South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture to the United States.
Source: Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum (WCCPF)
