SA water curbs to hit citrus exports Business News - Gabi Falanga
Some of the country’s biggest export products, including citrus and avocados, are likely to suffer under the latest water restrictions. The Department of Water and Sanitation has gazetted further water consumption restrictions in the Western Cape and Limpopo.
Willem van Jaarsveld, the chief of Agri Limpopo, said farmers in the area were extremely worried, especially about the citrus production.
“We are the biggest citrus producer in South Africa. We’re worried about it because the orchards are flowering, meaning the fruit is in the process of growing.”
“It is a crucial time in the life of a citrus tree or any tree produce. There must be enough water to keep up the healthy growth of the producing tree,” he said.
Restrictions had been placed on some water supply systems and dams in Limpopo, with more stringent restrictions for mining and irrigation usage.