SA and Tanzania clash in trade row over bananas
Tensions are rising between South Africa and Tanzania as the East African nation criticises what it calls unfair barriers to its exports.
Tanzanian authorities enforced a sudden ban on South African apples and other agricultural imports from midnight on Wednesday, escalating a long-standing trade dispute.
Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe, speaking in a televised address, accused South Africa and Malawi of maintaining “unfair trade restrictions” against Tanzanian produce, including bananas, rice, and ginger.
Bashe said Tanzania had engaged in fruitless diplomatic talks for five years and blamed the lack of progress for the decision to act.
He also confirmed a similar ban on Malawian imports, citing Malawi’s earlier move to block several Tanzanian goods. Pointing to past trade tensions over avocados, Bashe argued that Tanzania had only seen results after imposing reciprocal restrictions.
“We cannot continue to tolerate this unfair treatment,” Bashe said.
“While negotiations are ongoing, we must act in defence of our economic interests.”
He has given South Africa and Malawi one week to lift the unspecified trade restrictions.
Bashe also posted a video on Twitter (X) showing a pile of rotten bananas in a truck stranded at the border with Malawi, stating it was difficult for Tanzania to tolerate the “trend”.
Tanzania says ‘Keep your apples.’
Bashe added that Tanzanians would not suffer from the absence of South African products such as grapes or apples.
Tanzania imports between 30 000 and 40 000 (12.5kg) cartons of apples from South Africa every year.
The ban also includes restrictions on humanitarian maize exports to Malawi and fertiliser collections scheduled for the upcoming Malawian planting season.
South Africa is left confused
South African agricultural experts and trade groups, meanwhile, have been caught off guard.
According to the Fresh Produce Import Association of South Africa (FPIA), Tanzanian bananas are not currently approved for import because the proper phytosanitary processes, including a pest risk analysis, had not been completed.
“The process is clear, and would involve a pest risk analysis according to International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standards,” said FPIA general manager, Marianna Theyse.
She noted that while neither country has banana Fusarium Wilt TR4—a serious plant disease—its presence in northern Mozambique poses a significant threat.
Banana market already full
South African banana farmers have declared an oversupply in the local market, with imports coming from Mozambique, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and soon Namibia.
The Banana Growers Association of South Africa said they were unaware of any interest from Tanzania in entering the market, and expressed concern about the sudden trade tensions.
Agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo noted that Tanzania makes up just 0.4% of South Africa’s agricultural imports, with products like tea, tobacco, and coffee—not bananas—being the main exports.