Cailynn Pretorius4 March 2025 | 13:26

Botswana lifts ban on importing South African vegetables

The restriction was put in place in 2022 to support farmers in Botswana and reduce the country's reliance on exports.

Botswana lifts ban on importing South African vegetables

Packed vegetables, supermarket. Image: Fikri Rasyid on Unsplash

CAPE TOWN - The lifting of a ban on vegetable imports means South African greens will be back on the dinner table in Botswana.  

The restriction was put in place in 2022 to support farmers in Botswana and reduce the country's reliance on exports.

READ: Botswana's lifting of restrictions on SA vegetables praised as a positive step to intra-Africa trade

But in December last year, the Botswana government started the process to undo the restriction which will take place in two phases.  

Phase one started in December and phase 2 commences in April.

Western Cape MEC of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Ivan Meyer says the move will take the province closer to its Growth For Jobs plan.

"This will encourage our exports and trades amongst SADC members states. Our commitment is to encourage fair trade between African countries in order to grow our respective economies and create more jobs.”