Holt S Africa Ambassador

From left: Michael Holt of Holt Logistics, the ambassador, Gerrit van der Merwe, Eric Holt and Christian Holt

Holt Logistics and South African Summer Citrus celebrated the renewal of African Growth and Opportunity Act last week by inviting Mninwa Mahlangu, the South African ambassador to the US, to tour Holt’s facilities at Gloucester Marine Terminal at the Port of Philadelphia.

Gerrit van der Merwe, Director, South African Summer Citrus & Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum, said the visit provided “another reason to roar about our citrus”.

South African Summer Citrus exports 45,000 tonnes of citrus to the US from June through October through the Port of Philadelphia. President Obama's extension of the African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA) in June assures the citrus programme will continue, providing thousands of jobs in the US and in South Africa, and giving US consumers access to citrus during the summer.

After touring the Port of Philadelphia a reception in the Ambassador's honour was held. Also attending the reception, representatives from the offices of Senator Robert Menendez (NJ), Senator Corey Booker (NJ), & Representative Chaka Fattah (PA).