New EU Restrictions On South African Citrus Could Hinder European Produce Market

The European Commission's plans to tighten rules on citrus fruit imported from South Africa -- the world's leading exporter of oranges and grapefruits -- could affect produce availability and prices in the European Union to the point customers might reconsider buying citrus, experts said Wednesday. The EU's move reflects concern about South Africa's ability to sufficiently contain the scourge of the citrus black spot (CBS) disease.