Higher production and strong European demand drive significant volume growth, with Durban Container Terminals already handling 16 per cent more refrigerated containers than during the entire 2024 season.
South African group Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) says citrus export volumes to the end of June were already 18 per cent up on the previous year’s total, as the current season approaches its halfway point.
As reported on the Freight News website, increased production has led to a higher volume of fruit being transported to ports via rail since the start of the campaign in April.
“The superior quality of the fruit coming from South Africa has translated into higher volumes, with the European Union coming in as the biggest consumer, followed by the Middle East,” said TPT’s Michelle van Buuren Schele.
Durban Container Terminals reportedly handled 980 refrigerated containers up to the end of June, a figure which was around 16 per cent higher than the 846 received during the entire 2024 season.
The Citrus Growers’ Association estimates that approximately 106,500 containers will be shipped for export this year via the country’s ports.
Meanwhile, in order to address recent logistical problems in South African ports, TPT has apparently invested R3.4bn in new equipment and infrastructure.
