GABORONE, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Monday stressed the need to level the playing field in trade with South Africa when talking about the ban on importing vegetables from South Africa.

During a call with Botswanan Consul General to South Africa Yandani Boko, the president said that Botswana is "committed to enhancing it (trade) within the framework of the Southern African Customs Union rules, which allow for infant industry protection."

He advocated for a greater balance in trade, citing a historical trade imbalance between Botswana and South Africa that he believes neither side wants to maintain, and that is not in both countries' best interests.

He said that Botswana is following the regulations consistent with the instruments it has signed off on, underlining the importance to maximize the benefits of the relationship between the two neighboring countries.

Local media reported that Botswana's fresh produce import bill decreased by 71 percent since the country started to restrict vegetable imports from South Africa in early 2022 in order to support local farmers and the economy, as well as to empower Batswana to produce its own food and become self-sufficient.

According to media reports, Botswana imported annually about 634 million Botswanan Pula (46 million U.S. dollars) worth of vegetables from South African before the ban.

In 2023, Botswana imported vegetables valued at 182 million pula (around 13 million dollars) from South Africa.

Last year, the government of Botswana decided to extend the ban on imports of tomatoes, potatoes, onions and other produce, which was due to expire at the end of December 2023, until the end of 2025. (1 U.S. dollar = 13.59 Botswanan Pula) Enditem

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