Emerging citrus growers get boost with nonprofit entity
SA’s R10bn citrus industry has set up a nonprofit entity for emerging growers, through which it will bolster dwindling production and help new players enter the lucrative export market.Last month, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana endorsed the Growers Development Company, which will be headed by MD Lukhanyo Nkombisa.Citrus Growers Association CEO Justin Chadwick said on Thursday that the organisation would contribute R14m to the newly formed entity.But the entity, the transformation arm of the Citrus Growers Association, is entering an industry that has been beset by persistent outbreaks of citrus black spot over the past two years, with the latest hitting organic lemon growers.Deon Joubert, a European Union (EU) envoy at the Citrus Growers Association, estimates that organic lemon growers will suffer R50m in losses after they voluntarily suspended exports to the EU, citing the risk of citrus black spot.They have done this to protect the rest of the market...
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