In celebration of a long-term relationship that brings South African citrus to U.S. consumers, Walmart kicked off a week-long celebration of South Africa for consumers at Walmart stores throughout the Northeast region.
Walmart executives and leaders of South Africa’s Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum kicked off the celebration at a “Taste of South Africa” event Oct. 12 at the Walmart Supercenter in Levittown, PA.
“Walmart is among the largest importers of South African summer citrus to the U.S.,” Suhanra Conradie, chief executive officer of the Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum, a consortium of about 350 South African growers approved to export citrus to the United States, said in a press release. “With its wide retail reach, consumers in the U.S. have access to healthy and delicious citrus at a time when domestic citrus is unavailable.”
South Africa is the second largest exporter of citrus in the world and has exported to the US since 1999.
“We thank and applaud Walmart for their tremendous support of our export program,” Ms. Conradie added in the press release. “Walmart shoppers enjoy the full array of South African summer citrus, beginning in June with clementines, continuing with Navels in the mid-summer months, and ending the season in late October with Midknights.”
The promotion is part of a week-long celebration and includes special promotions and samplings of South African oranges at 32 stores throughout the East Coast. The celebration highlights Walmart’s ongoing commitment to global responsibility, an emphasis on providing healthy, affordable food to consumers, and continued efforts to improve the lives of workers throughout its supply chain.
At the kickoff event at the Levittown store, Gugulethu Gingqi, Consul for Trade Affairs for South African Consulate in New York gave remarks. In addition, the celebration included traditional South African music by Johannesburg-raised South African singer Christine Vaindirlis and her band, as well as samples of South African oranges and a variety of giveaways for shoppers.
Through Walmart’s “Live Better” initiatives, the company is committed to providing healthy, affordable food to consumers. The company has a long-term partnership with the forum, which is committed to meeting and exceeding all regulatory standards required for products to enter the United States, and providing a safe, steady supply of the world’s highest quality citrus products.
“Our relationship with South African citrus has helped further our efforts to provide an affordable supply of healthy, safe food choices to our customers,” Don Fox, director of global food sourcing for Walmart Stores, added in the press release. “We count on the reliability and safety of the products we receive from South Africa and we value the growers’ and suppliers’ commitment to exceed the rigorous standards we set. This partnership has given us confidence that we can always provide the highest quality summer citrus to our shoppers.”
The citrus export program is one example of the support Walmart provides to numerous economic programs and emerging industries in South Africa, said Mr. Gingqi. “The value of this export program to other emerging industries in South Africa is extremely important to South Africa’s economic future,” he said. “This partnership is a prime example of the benefits of [the African Growth and Opportunity Act], and the successful efforts of our import and retail partners. We appreciate the opportunities that Walmart continues to provide for South African products to enter U.S. markets.”
South African Summer Citrus is exported to the U.S. from June through October when domestic citrus is not available. South Africa citrus exports to the U.S. began in 1999 and have grown annually to more than 41,000 tons.
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