Trade war erupts between SA and Tanzania over…bananas
From midnight on Wednesday, Tanzania authorities imposed an immediate ban on South African apples and other agricultural imports.
The move comes after years of frustration over South Africa's alleged refusal to allow Tanzanian bananas into its market.
Malawian imports have also been blocked by Tanzania, after it was reported that Malawi blocked Tanzanian flour, rice, ginger, bananas and maize in March.
Tanzanian Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe made the announcement in a televised speech, saying South Africa and Malawi had failed to lift what he called 'unfair trade restrictions' on Tanzanian produce.
He claimed diplomatic talks had dragged on for five years without results and likened the situation to a similar struggle to gain access for Tanzanian avocados.
He claimed the avocado dispute was finally resolved only when Tanzania began to impose 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'.
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 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.
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.
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