Philippine Ambassador Noralyn Jubaira Baja (center) with (counterclockwise from left) Fruit South Africa (FSA) Special
Consultant for Market Development Dr. Mono Mashaba, FSA Chief Executive Officer Fhumulani Ratshitanga,
First Secretary Maurice Tiempo and Attache and Economic Assistat Chynna Lyn D.S. Abaigar
10 November 2022, Pretoria – Building on their inaugural meeting on 15 September 2022, Philippine Embassy officials led by Ambassador Noralyn Jubaira Baja held a follow-up meeting with with Chief Executive Officer Fhumulani Ratshitanga and Specialist Consultant for Market Development Dr. Mono Mashaba of Fruit South Africa (FSA) on 08 November 2022.
During the meeting, FSA briefed the Embassy on the outcome of its recent visit to Manila in October 2022, during which it attended the Agrilink. Foodlink. Aqualink Agribusiness Exhibition hosted by the Philippine Department of Agriculture, as well as met with officials of the Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI).
The organization also updated the Embassy that negotiations for the South African table grapes to gain market access in the Philippines is nearing conclusion, with a team from BPI expected to visit South Africa in 2023 to conduct a pest risk analysis.
Both sides also exchanged views on the way forward for the possible entry of Philippine tropical fruits to South Africa.
FSA is the umbrella body for the South African fruit industry.
