BORDER DELAYS THREATEN AGRIC EXPORTS

MBABANE - South Africa’s border gates have seen severe disruptions in recent weeks, causing bottlenecks that significantly impact the flow of agricultural exports, particularly perishable goods like bananas and citrus fruits.

On Monday, top officials of both Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce, together with Business Eswatini (BE), converged in the BE war room to decry what has been happening at the border gates regarding the serious disruptions in the flow of agricultural exports.

Perishable

The products affected include bananas and citrus which are perishable products, that constantly require a strict cold chain management protocol. It was indicated during this meeting that a special team led by the Ministry of Agriculture, is to engage, as a matter of urgency, the Border Management Authority (BMA) of South Africa on possible solutions. Meanwhile, local farm exporters continue to financially bleed profusely as a result of these ‘manufactured’ trade barriers.Exporters and farmers are raising concerns, as these delays jeopardise produce quality and threaten the country’s reputation in the international market.

Long queues and processing delays at key border crossings with South Africa’s neighbouring countries, notably Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, have slowed the transportation of fresh produce bound for export. These delays are largely attributed to stricter border control measures, intermittent technical issues with customs systems, and, in some cases, staff shortages on both sides of the border.

Freshness

The most affected export items are highly perishable goods, such as bananas and citrus, which depend on a strict cold chain management protocol to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage. Exporters report that these delays often exceed 24 hours, forcing trucks to wait in long lines as customs officers perform additional inspections or experience technical downtimes in their systems.  For fruits like bananas and citrus, even short delays can lead to significant temperature deviations, undermining the fruits’ quality and diminishing their shelf life once they reach markets abroad.

Many buyers, especially in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, require South African produce to arrive in pristine condition, given the intense competition from other regions like Latin America. Cold chain management is essential to preserving the quality of South Africa’s fresh produce. According to industry experts, bananas, for instance, need to remain at a stable temperature of around 13 degrees Celsius to prevent premature ripening or spoiling.  Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, also require low temperatures to avoid microbial growth and maintain their appeal. When trucks are delayed at the border, refrigeration systems work harder to compensate, often resulting in increased fuel usage and even refrigeration failures, which can compromise the quality of the goods.

Farmers and exporters have voiced frustrations, stating that the delays have led to some consignments being rejected upon arrival in foreign markets due to quality deterioration. As a result, South African exporters risk losing valuable contracts and damaging their reputation as reliable suppliers. Some have already begun diverting shipments to other regions or considering alternative logistics solutions, which come at an additional cost. The Citrus Growers’ Association and Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum have jointly issued statements urging the government to address these bottlenecks, calling for increased staffing, technology upgrades, and streamlined procedures at the border gates.

These industry bodies warn that, if unaddressed, the disruptions could lead to South Africa losing ground in highly competitive global markets, with adverse consequences for the nation’s agricultural sector. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) has acknowledged the concerns raised by the agricultural industry. A representative stated that the government is actively working with customs and border authorities to reduce delays, improve technological infrastructure, and deploy additional resources to alleviate pressure at high-traffic border crossings.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is also exploring possible digital solutions to improve border efficiency, such as implementing a pre-clearance system for high-priority goods like fresh produce. Additionally, neighboring countries have been engaged in discussions to ensure smoother trade facilitation and to address staffing and processing issues jointly.

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