Botswana has officially lifted its ban on vegetable imports from South Africa, allowing products that are not available locally to return to supermarket shelves.
The ban, which was imposed in 2022, was aimed at reviving Botswana’s agricultural sector and reducing reliance on imported goods. However, the government launched a two-stage process to reverse the policy in December 2024, with the second stage scheduled to come into effect in April.
The decision has been welcomed by trade advocates as a positive step towards strengthening economic ties within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Ivan Meyer praised the move, saying it was in line with efforts to boost regional trade and economic growth.
“This will promote exports and trade between SADC member countries. Our commitment is to promote fair trade within Africa to strengthen our economies and create more jobs,” Meyer said.