Mzansi’s wool industry has lost over R700 million in wool exports to China this year and with the first auction of the new season now fast approaching, Agri SA is calling for government intervention on an “unwarranted” ban on South African wool by Chinese authorities.
Food For Mzansi previously reported on the ban – because of the presence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the country – which has instantly eliminated about 70% of South African wool producers’ market. Producers also said in April this year, that they couldn’t afford a repeat of the eight-month ban of 2019.
Now, with the first seasonal auction scheduled for 17 August, Agri SA and the National Wool Growers’ Association of South Africa say they are extremely concerned about the ongoing but unjustifiable ban. “With 70 to 80% of the South African clip traditionally destined for China, the ban will have a devastating effect on the local wool industry,” says Agri SA in a press statement.
The value of the South Africa wool clip is around R5 billion per year. Since the ban was announced in April this year, local farmers have lost an estimated R734 million in wool exports to China.
The ban also threatens the livelihoods of the industry’s 35 000 workers as well as 4 500 seasonal sheep shearers and wool handlers, according to industry experts.
Ban is too drastic
Agri SA and the association believe that the ban is unwarranted since South Africa has protocols in place that regulate the storage of wool after shearing for a specified time at required minimum temperatures as stipulated by the terrestrial code of the World Organisation of Animal Health.
These measures were specifically negotiated with Chinese authorities during the 2019 outbreak to limit the disruption to trade.
All export facilities in South Africa have also been registered with the Chinese authorities to ensure proper monitoring and accurate certification.
And even though wool sheep are, like all cloven-hoofed animals, susceptible to be infected by FMD, no outbreaks have been recorded in recognised wool producing areas, nor have any small stock been diagnosed with FMD in South Africa.
“With the auction date looming for the country’s wool, it is essential that [agriculture, land reform and rural development minister] Thoko Didiza and [trade, industry and competition minister] Ebrahim Patel intervene to secure the industry’s access to the Chinese market,” says Agri SA.
“Failure to act will have devastating consequences for the industry’s workers, and for small-scale producers in particular.”
Worry for small-scale farmers
Agri SA executive director and Wool Growers’ Association CEO Leon de Beer both say that they are concerned about the upcoming and communal wool producing sector in particular, as most of their clip is destined for export to China.
“More than 40 000 small-scale producers market close to 6 million kg of wool annually, valued at an estimated R300 million. These producers and surrounding communities will fall back into poverty should the Chinese market remain closed for wool from South Africa.”
Many commercial wool sheep producers have also recently only emerged from an extended period of drought, and if wool exports to China cannot resume due to the ban, these farmers may not survive, the executives add.
“Agri SA and the Wool Growers Association can only trust that the South African authorities will make every effort to address this issue with the Chinese authorities as a matter of urgency. South African wool is safe for export, and we must resolve this matter quickly for the sake of the livelihoods on the line.”
ALSO READ: Wool exports: SA can’t afford another 8-month ban
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