Industry body Potatoes SA has warned that a recent lapse of import duties that protected the South African potato industry from dumping, means the country is at risk of below-cost frozen French fries flooding the market from abroad.

Its officials claim that an application to have anti-dumping tariffs reinstated for another five years will not be completed in time.

The usual process involves application for an extension, which is known as a sunset review.

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The SA independent regulator, the South Africa’s independent regulator, the International Trade Administration Commission, then reviews that application. Currently, this review that has not been completed.

Potatoes SA believes an influx of frozen French fries from The Netherlands and Belgium will cripple South African potato farmers and producers, and could eventually even impact local food security.

Source: news24.com