On Oct. 27, the General Administration of Customs of China announced via its website [3] that four types of fresh citrus fruit — oranges, mandarins, grapefruit and lemons — from Botswana meeting the stipulated phytosanitary requirements would be permissible for import into China.

Botswana is a landlocked country in southern Africa. In 2024, its citrus exports [4] were valued at $1.53 million, with Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany and Poland serving as its main export markets. Under China’s zero-tariff policy [5] for all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, which took effect on May 1, 2026, citrus imports from Botswana will also benefit from zero tariffs.

According to the GACC announcement, a total of six quarantine pests of concern have been identified by China. These include the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata), Natal fruit fly (Ceratitis rosa), white wax scale (Ceroplastes destructor), black thread scale (Ischnaspis longirostris), South African citrus thrip (Scirtothrips aurantii) and false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta).

Orchards intending to export these citrus fruits to China must establish robust quality management and traceability systems, adhere to good agricultural practices, and implement integrated pest management techniques to prevent or minimize the risk of quarantine pests of concern.

Packing facilities must maintain good hygienic conditions and implement measures to prevent pest re-infestation, such as installing insect-proof screens. During packing, citrus fruits destined for China must undergo sorting, selection, grading, disinfection, washing, brushing and waxing to ensure that they are free from insects, mites, rotten fruit, branches, leaves, roots and soil. These fruits must also be packed and stored separately from citrus fruits intended for other markets.

Cold treatment is mandatory for Botswanan citrus fruits intended for export to China. Approved cold treatment regimens include a pulp temperature of 3 degrees Celsius or below for at least 18 consecutive days for lemons and minus 0.2 degrees Celsius or below for at least 16 consecutive days or 1 degree Celsius or below for at least 19 consecutive days for oranges, mandarins and grapefruit. Before cold treatment begins, the fruit must be pre-cooled for at least 72 hours to reach the required treatment temperature.

Image: Pixabay

This article was based on a Chinese article. Read the original article [6].