Saudis could soon enjoy a smorgasbord of South African red meat after Thoko Didiza signed a memorandum of understanding with her counterpart in Saudi Arabia, the second-largest country in the Arab world.
Didiza, who is the minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development, joined President Cyril Ramaphosa on a weekend state visit to the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia. The delegation also included businesswoman Gloria Seroba, the driving force behind agricultural initiatives in Centane and Mbashe in the Eastern Cape.
Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, the Saudi minister of environment, water and agriculture, confirmed that the Saudi Arabia Food and Drug Authority will visit Mzansi within the next three weeks. They will assess animal health and meat safety systems that would facilitate the export of red meat to Saudi Arabia.
Speaking from Jeddah, Didiza said opportunities in agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries were being explored. “This would actually enable technical exchange between the two countries, open up market access for goods from South Africa to Saudi, as well as Saudi to South Africa.”
Trade between the two countries already amounted to $5 billion. At least one leading Saudi Arabian retail giant, LuLu Hypermarket, already imported South African goods, explained Didiza.
“Most importantly, we are also interested in opening up the meat market – particularly for beef, lamb and goat. We have halal standards in South Africa, and we hope to finalise with the halal standard setting in Saudi to facilitate our meat products into the Saudi market.”
The minister highlighted that negotiations with the government of Saudi Arabia dated as far back as 2012. It is now being concluded, also with the backing of forestry, fishers and environment minister Barbara Creecy.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa confirmed that “a record number” of 17 different memoranda of understanding were signed. This related to mining, renewable energy, security, transport and other sectors. This, he said, is a “true demonstration of the depth of the relationship between the two countries and the great ambitions that we all have.”
The president added, “These memoranda of understanding are what I call door-openers. They pave the way for much greater co-operation for high trade and investment flows between South Africa and Saudi Arabia.”
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