Taiwan shuts down to South African apples again

South African apple exports to Taiwan have been suspended after Taiwan’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA) found a live codling moth on a shipment at its Keelung branch. South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) was notified of the suspension of access by APHIA last Wednesday 24 October. It was advised to suspend the issuance of phytosanitary and pre-cooling certificates with immediate effect. Consignments that were already on the water as of 24 October would still be accepted, APHIA said, albeit with more stringent inspections, according to a statement from DALRRD. The news comes as a blow for the South African industry and government, which only recently reopened the Taiwan market after considerable effort. Taiwan suspended access for South African apples in May 2023 after finding codling moth in shipments. Imports only resumed in May 2024. South Africa shipped no apples to Taiwan between July 2023 and June 2024. The US ...