MOSCOW, February 27. /TASS/. South Africa has become Russia's top supplier of oranges during the winter season, the country’s ambassador to Russia Mzuvukile Jeff Maqetuka said in an interview with TASS.
"We face no competition in winter. In December it is winter in Egypt and summer in South Africa. During this season we can easily tap 80-90% of the market, and this share is on the rise," he said.
Overall, South Africa is the third-largest exporter of citrus fruits to Russia after Turkey and Egypt, though in the winter period "seven of every ten oranges in any Russian supermarket are from South Africa," the diplomat noted.
Moreover, supplies of oranges from South Africa to the Russian market may gain one quarter in the next few years, he added. "I just received a report, which says that exports of citrus fruits <…> are planned to increase by 25% within the next three years as we put in more plantations," the ambassador said, adding that "the weather is conducive to growing citrus fruits."
"Over my three years here, I am very pleased to note the dynamics of trade in two commodities, first is citrus fruits, including oranges, tangerines and lemons, and second, we are doing very well on the Russian market with wines. I think that we are the sixth-largest country in terms of wine imports on the Russian market," the diplomat concluded.