Citrus exports get off to a rollicking start

THE 2002 citrus export season from Southern Africa recently got off to a record-breaking start with a 3 817 pallet-load of grapefruit destined for Europe being handled by Kuehne & Nagel jointly in South Africa and Mozambique. This was the first breakbulk shipment for the season, which loaded out of the Mozambican port of Maputo at the beginning of May. The Pierre Doux, on charter to Sea Trade, loaded over a period of four days before setting sail for Rotterdam. The fruit originated from the eastern province of Mpumalanga and Northern Province in South Africa as well as from Swaziland and was transported by truck to the two cold stores in Maputo harbour. The port of Maputo was chosen in preference to Durban for strategic reasons, its locality presenting cost saving opportunities on the transport leg. The citrus terminal at the Port of Durban is under heavy pressure at this time of the year and cold storage space is at a premium.