South Africa's citrus industry urges government to "expeditiously negotiate with the US"

South Africa's Citrus Growers' Association CEO, Boitshoko Ntshabele, said the 30% U.S.-imposed tariffs "will make South African citrus uncompetitive in the US," since other citrus-producing countries are only subjected to a 10% levy.

In his weekly newsletter, the CEO said the tariff increase will put growers who rely on U.S. exports in a vulnerable position, and emphasized the importance for both countries to reach an agreement by Aug. 1, or "at the very least, that an exemption for citrus and other seasonal produce can be negotiated." 

"Seasonal fresh produce is not like a product produced year-round in a factory. SA citrus growers do not threaten growers of US citrus or even US jobs," the press release said. "Because we are counter-seasonal, quite the opposite is true. South Africa’s citrus sustains interest when local US citrus is out of season, eventually benefiting US growers when we 'hand over' consumers at the end of our season."