The Citrus Growers Association CGA says it will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of International Relations to address what it calls unjustified trade barriers on international markets.
The association has outlined key priorities that will help the industry grow and export a total of 260 million cartons by 2032.
CGA CEO, Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele says without improved access in all markets and opening new markets, the increase in citrus production cannot be channelled into new jobs.
Ntshabele says a speedy resolution of this matter would ensure improved access and reduce costs to citrus producers in South Africa.
One of the pressure points we face as an industry has been access to our biggest market, which is the European Union. We face a lot of pressure in terms of what we consider unscientific and unjustified trade barriers with regards to CBS and FCM control. This matter is a subject of dispute between South Africa and EU at the WTO.