The Star E-dition

SA citrus exports are up 7 percent at Transnet Port Terminals despite headwinds

GIVEN MAJOLA given.majola@inl.co.za

SOUTH African citrus exports were 7 percent higher across all container terminals combined when compared to prior year volumes mid-season, despite global challenges facing the industry, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) said yesterday.

Challenges facing the industry include soaring input costs, especially fuel and fertiliser, a major surge in shipping costs, ongoing operational challenges at the country’s ports, and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on trading patterns.

Despite this, TPT said it had handled more than 77 376 forty-foot equivalent units in the first half of the season across its container terminals in Durban, Ngqura and Gqeberha.

Actual citrus export volumes were 36 percent higher than the previous year at the Port Elizabeth Container Terminal; 13.1 percent higher at the Durban Container Terminal Pier 1; 6.1 percent higher at the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2; and 2.3 percent

higher at the Ngqura Container Terminal.

The Cape Town Container Terminal, which plays a supporting role during this season, also recorded a 6 percent increase in refrigerated container volumes, which include citrus exports.

Michelle van Buren Schele, TPT general manager for Commercial and Planning, said the citrus readiness plans had focused on employee resourcing, maximum stack capacity, industry compliance with the truck appointment system and increased terminal plug points for refrigerated containers.

While the proposal of railing refrigerated containers was still sitting with logistics service providers for consideration, a mass rail evacuation system would contribute considerably to truck traffic, but was heavily reliant on industry uptake.

TPT said the recent enforcement of the EU’s new protectionist regulations in citrus imports from southern Africa remained a major challenge.

This combined with increased shipping rates, input costs and the late production of lemons and grapefruit posed many uncertainties for the industry.

BUSINESS REPORT

en-za

2022-08-12T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-12T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://thestar.pressreader.com/article/282209424633168

African News Agency