Cape Town – South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has welcomed Botswana’s decision to gradually lift the ban on vegetable imports from South Africa.
This follows a letter from Botswana’s new International Relations Minister, Dr Phenyo Butale, informing Lamola of the move, a statement read on Thursday.
“Minister Lamola welcomes Botswana’s commitment to fostering closer ties and facilitating trade with South Africa,” the department said.
The ban, imposed by Botswana’s previous administration to support local farmers, had caused South African vegetable exports to drop by nearly 50% in 2023.
Lamola expressed optimism about the potential for strengthened trade and cooperation between the two countries, particularly in agricultural development, and highlighted the role of South Africa’s advanced agricultural technologies in aiding Botswana’s growth.
“In the spirit of strengthening regional integration, lifting the ban also paves the way for stronger collaboration between the countries in agricultural development and trade, as well as deepening cooperation in the regional value chain,” the minister said.
This topic will be further explored at the South Africa-Botswana Binational Commission in 2025.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@joy_zelda
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
