Is SA’s potato industry in dire straits?

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While agriculture was the standout performer in the recent GDP horror show one subsector is urgently lobbying government for protection from imports from Europe: the humble, mashed, baked, fried, or vodkarised, potato. Since 2000/01 potatoes accounted for approximately 45% of total vegetable crops produced in South Africa and contribute around R8.5 billion to the economy. However, these numbers are under threat due to a surplus of frozen and processed potato products in Europe, as a result of a decreased demand brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, and hence significantly depressed prices. As South Africa is a key destination for processed potato product exports from the EU where there is a history of dumping, this is set to have a negative impact on the country’s agricultural sector and surrounding communities. André Jooste, CEO of Potato South Africa, talks to Michael Avery about what is happening in the value chain and why government has to intervene urgently before the WTO can be counted on to assist with an anti-dumping claim.
17 Sep 2020 12PM English South Africa Business · Investing

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