South Africa has resumed wool exports to China following its suspension in April after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth in the southern Africa country.
South Africa produces over 42 million kilogrammes of wool from commercial sheep farmers.
The Chinese export is vital for South Africa with 8 000 commercial and 40 000 communal contributing the total wool exports.
South Africa’s wool exports to China were suspended in April this year following a foot-and-mouth outbreak.
However, the South African government has been engaging with its Chinese counterparts to resume the trade.
“We welcome the decision by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China to lift the ban on the wool and other cloven-hoofed animals’ skin products imported from South Africa as announced,” Thoko Didiza, South African minister for agriculture, land reform and rural development, said this week.
She said following the temporary suspension of the exports, farmers lost over US$43 million and the continued suspension could have had a devastating effect.
Didiza added the early lifting of the suspension prevented the South African farmers from incurring losses for two seasons.
Ebrahim Patel, South Africa’s minister of trade industry and competition, also welcomed the resumption of the export of wool to China.
“The engagements with the People’s Republic of China have been conducted in a positive manner and the coordinated efforts by different parts of the South African government greatly assisted,” he said.
The Agri SA and the National Wool Growers’ Association of South Africa also welcomed the opening of the exports of wool to China.
“We are relieved to learn that the South African government has secured the agreement of the government of China to lift the ban on South African wool exports. This is an example of what can be achieved through effective partnership between industry and government,” Agri SA said.
The National Wool Growers’ Association of South Africa said the resumption of exports to China would also assist the Chinese farmers who are also recovering from drought.
