This is according to Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, following a recent meeting with the US Ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks.
In a press release issued by the Ministry, Didiza hailed the meeting as a great success and said that the deliberations set out to discuss agricultural trade relations of mutual interest to both countries. During the meeting Didiza noted and expressed appreciation to her counterpart for the increase in exports of citrus to the US market, and expressed the hope that this will in future translate to other agricultural products also benefitting from increased access into the US market. As a sign of good faith in this regard, Marks indicated that a technical task team will be established to facilitate such an effort.
“Increasing agricultural production is important for South Africa’s overall food security, as well as contributing towards the economy through organised trade,” said Didiza. The Minister said she believes that the transformation of the sector, as envisaged through the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, will ensure not only an increase in trade volumes, but would also benefit the local economy immensely.