Jambon wants to pave way for Belgian fries on South African market

Belgian producers of frozen fries are having a hard time entering the South African market. A working visit by Flemish minister-president Jan Jambon to South Africa aims to help producers find a way into the 'rainbow nation'.

Frozen potato products are an important export product for Belgium. But in South Africa, not everything is going smoothly for the producers, says Luc Fabry of Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT), the agency that promotes and guides Flemish international trade.

What exactly is going on? Five years ago, South African authorities imposed an anti-dumping tax on frozen chips from Belgium and other EU countries. This measure was likely aimed at protecting the country's own potato growers and producers. The European Union contested the levy, and eventually the anti-dumping measure was lifted. In the meantime, however, a new procedure has been started and Belgian products are threatened for a second time with an anti-dumping tax of 11 percent.

Flemish government leader Jambon - on a mission in South Africa - raised the issue during a meeting with South African Trade and Industry minister Ebrahim Patel.

In the meantime, good news has been announced for Belgian pork producers. After years of banning the import of pork from our country as a consequence of African swine fever, the South African market is open again. Ribs and pork fat, in particular, are heading from Belgium to South Africa.

(BRV)

Flemish minister-president Jan Jambon and South African Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel pictured during a diplomatic mission of the Flemish government to South-Africa - © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK