The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has announced in a news statement that it has recognised 16 additional magisterial districts in three provinces of South Africa as pest-free areas for citrus black spot disease.

The ruling means citrus produced in the Northern Cape, Orange Free State and North West Province is now permitted access to the US, provided import protocols are followed correctly.

According to importer Fisher Capespan, the regions are set to become good supply sources for Star Ruby grapefruit, a fruit which grows "extremely well" in the dry desert-like conditions in those areas.

"The quality of Star Ruby produced in the North West is well known, with the fruit showing excellent internal red colour, high brix values and a thin skin," the company said in a statement.

"This fruit regularly falls into the size 30-36 count range and it is not difficult to see why Fisher Capespan is excited at the prospect of adding South African grapefruit to its Southern Hemisphere citrus offer."

Volume for the US market is likely to be moderate this year, according to company president Marc Soloman, since many grapefruit orchards in the area are not yet in full production and growers in these regions currently lack experience with the required protocols.

"As the orchards mature and experience is gained in producing fruit for the US, volume could rise to over 500,000 (15kg) cartons in the next five years," Mr Soloman added.
South African grapefruit is expected to be available in the US from the end of May through to the end of July, at a time when domestic production is usually in short supply.

SOURCE: FRUITNET