No need to panic as South Africa's potatoes are banned in Zimbabwe

Published 2024년 1월 26일

Tridge summary

The Zimbabwean government has temporarily halted imports of South African potatoes due to the detection of the pepper ringspot virus (PepRSV). Despite this, experts maintain that the virus is unlikely to significantly affect potato production or pose a risk to human consumption. The virus was first identified in South Africa in 2020 and confirmed in various potato production regions in 2023. The South African Department of Agriculture has implemented quarantine measures to control the disease, and both countries are collaborating to find long-term solutions and ensure exports are only conducted from uninfected areas.

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Original content

The Zimbabwean government has temporarily halted imports of South African potatoes following the detection of pepper ringspot virus (PepRSV). Experts have called for calm citing that there is no need to worry as the virus is unlikely to cause any harm to potato production and the industry. Research and innovation manager at Potato SA Dirk Uys said the virus was recorded in the country back in 2020, however, in 2023 researchers from different institutions confirmed the virus in various potato production regions in Limpopo, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, and the Northern Cape. “The infection levels appear to be low and we anticipate that the disease will not have a significant impact on potato yield. There also is no known recorded adverse effect on and potatoes are fit for human consumption. “The department of agriculture, land reform and rural development has introduced proactive measures by regulating this disease by introducing quarantine measures. As this disease does ...

Source: Foodformzansi