South Africa: secures Brics trade deal with India

(AGI) - Cape Town, Sept. 27 - South Africa will export pigeon peas, pork and mango to India as part of ongoing efforts by Brics member countries to improve intra-state trade, South Africa's Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries announced today. The deal was concluded at the recent 6th Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) meeting of agriculture ministers in New Delhi, India. The seeds of pigeon peas are a common food grain in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Pigeon Pea crop, which is one of the drought tolerant legume crops, is consumed on a large scale, mainly in South Asia, and is a major source of protein for the population of that subcontinent. South Africa's Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries said the pigeon peas can be imported into India free of duty. "It is anticipated that South Africa will have market access opportunity to export 1000 tons of pigeon peas per annum once the memorandum of understanding between the two countries on pigeon peas trade has been concluded, possibly in 2018", the department said. India has also seen an increase in the import of pork meat. The department said between 2010 and 2015, Indian imports of pig meat increased by an average of 11%, driven mainly by demand from hotels, restaurants, as well as institutional sector and high end retailers. The range of imported pork-based products included pork belly, chops, loins, tenderloin, neck, spare ribs, bacon, ham, salami, and sausage. The department predicts that if South Africa were to export a minimum of 100 tons from 2017 onwards, the value of pork exports will easily reach Us$400 000 (about 356 000 euro). With regards to mango, the department forecasts that prices during peak season can range between Us$12.05 (10.74 Euro) and Us$14.55 (12.97 euro) per 20kg on average. India is South Africa's sixth largest trade partner. According to South Africa's Trade and Industry Department, trade between the two countries was recorded at R95 billion (about 6.2 billion euro) in 2015. The department's trade statistics also show that South Africaa s exports to India increased from R24 billion (about 1.5 billion euro) in 2011 to R41 billion (about 2.6 billion euro)) in 2015, while Indiaa s exports to South Africa increased from R29 billion (1.9 billion euro) to R54 billion (about 3.5 billion euro) during the same period. (AGI) .