SA produces more than 42-million kg of wool from 8,000 commercial sheep farmers. There are also 40,000 communal smallholder farmers who contribute 14% of total wool exports.“We welcome the decision by the General Administration of Customs of China and the ministry of agriculture and rural affairs of China to lift the ban on wool and other cloven-hoofed animal skin products imported from SA as announced today [Tuesday],” agriculture, land reform and rural development minister Thoko Didiza said.
Trade, industry and competition minister Ebrahim Patel said SA’s engagement with China had been conducted in a positive manner and the co-ordinated efforts by different parts of the SA government greatly assisted.This was not the first time SA has experienced such a challenge in China. During the 2019 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, China followed similar harsh practices and temporarily suspended SA wool imports.