Times Of Swaziland: BORDER DELAYS THREATEN AGRIC EXPORTS

BORDER DELAYS THREATEN AGRIC EXPORTS
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Nhlanganiso Mkhonta on 30/10/2024 13:50:00


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.