While export volumes will probably not be affected by recent extreme weather, the bulk shipment programme will start later than planned
While export volumes of South African citrus to the US will probably not be affected by the recent stormy weather and floods in the country’s Western Cape region, the bulk shipment programme from Cape Town to the American East Coast will start a bit later.
Anlin Shipping, which coordinates the shipments, said that the first of eight vessels is expected to sail from Cape Town on 8 June.
Thereafter, another five or six vessels will follow until September.
This will mean that product marketed under the Summer Citrus from South Africa banner will be supplied in time for retailers to take advantage of the fourth of July holiday period.
Shipments to the US normally start towards the end of April from the early regions of the Western Cape, all shipped in containers.
“We delayed the start of bulk shipments somewhat because most of the fruit is packed in some of the areas affected by the floods,” said Aubrey Gantz, CEO of Anlin.
“As soon as things dry off a bit and when the Oliphant’s River come on stream, we will see volumes increase.”
Gantz noted that the bulk shipments reflect a combined shipping programme of the industry which has been effective over the years.
”Apart from this we are also seeing more demand for conventional shipping space to Europe and Russia, where volumes have increased considerably since last year,” he said.
“We expect that by the end of the year we will have shipped some 50,000 pallets to Europe and 30,000 to Russia.”
The conventional programme also offers an alternative to exporters at time when there are delays in Cape Town’s container terminal, as was the case during the stonefruit and table grape export programmes.
