By Amy Musgrave
Botswana’s new administration has decided to gradually lift the ban on vegetable imports from South Africa, according to International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola.
He received a letter from his Botswanan counterpart Phenyo Butale. It followed a congratulatory message sent by Lamola to Butale on his appointment.
“Minister Lamola welcomes Botswana’s commitment to fostering closer ties and facilitating trade with South Africa,” the ministry said in a statement.
Botswana is a significant trading partner for South Africa, accounting for approximately 15% of the country’s total vegetable exports as of 2021. At the time of the ban, South Africa’s vegetable exports to Botswana decreased by almost half to R272 million in 2023.
The ministry said in the spirit of strengthening regional integration, lifting the ban also paved the way for stronger collaboration between the countries in agricultural development and trade, as well as deepening cooperation in the regional value chain.
It said South Africa possessed advanced agricultural technologies that could benefit Botswana’s efforts to boost domestic agricultural production.
These initiatives would be explored and underscored during the upcoming sixth session of the South Africa-Botswana Binational Commission, which would be hosted by Botswana in 2025.
South Africa also looked forward to strengthening cooperation with Botswana to advance the African agenda at regional, continental and global levels.
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