Sigh of relief as China lifts ban on SA wool

South Africa’s wool industry has breathed a sigh of relief after China lifted the ban on the country’s wool exports.

China placed the ban when a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak was detected in the northern provinces of South Africa early this year.

Christo van der Rheede, Agri SA executive director, said: “The ban jeopardised more than 35 000 jobs and an additional 4 500 seasonal jobs. With more than 70% to 80% of South Africa’s clip exported to China annually, the impact of the ban could have been devastating.”

SA producers about 45 million kilograms of wool a year with a value of about R5-billion a year.