Easier phytosanitary protocols about citrus black spot could benefit local orange exports to Russia, whose Port of St Petersburg has steadily accepted more fruit from South Africa over the past 15 years.
Export data also shows that as of September 1, the first day of week 34 of the year, 5.1 million cartons of citrus have been exported to Russia compared to the 2.6 million cartons last year, which happened to be a very good year for South African citrus heading to Russia.
The year-on-year increase is 96.15, boding very well for the remaining export-season months of September and October, ordinarily the two peak fruit export months.