Citrus in containers becomes price-competitive

E-booking solution offers flexible destination option SOPHISTICATED REEFER containers are pushing up South African reefer export figures as more and more perishable goods – previously shipped in conventional reefer vessels or airfreighted – are transported in containers. Safmarine’s reefer executive Jan Kruger says citrus is one example of a product increasingly being shipped in refrigerated containers, a move that has opened up more opportunities for citrus growers and exporters. “The type of service offered by liner shipping companies such as Safmarine is becoming increasingly important to citrus shippers who tend to prefer a shipping service that offers year-round, fixed day calls, rather than a tramping service.” Kruger also believes that shipping citrus in containers has become more price-competitive, which is further encouraging shippers to consider the container option. Traditionally Europe has been the largest market for SA’s citrus exports, but new markets are rapidly opening up, says Kruger. These include Russia, the Middle East and Asia. “These markets have been largely controlled by the breakbulk operators, but recently we’ve seen significant inroads being made by liner companies,” he said. An electronic booking system, designed specifically for reefer shippers, was implemented two years ago when Safmarine realised that South Africa’s geographic isolation meant that customers, and particularly seasonal reefer traders such as fruit and vegetable exporters, required greater supply chain efficiency in the form of e-Business solutions. Customers using the service are able to make block bookings for containers without having to specify the destination. This is particularly suited to the highly seasonal reefer trades, where shippers know they will have a huge surge in exports during certain times of year but will not necessarily know the exact destination of their produce until the last moment.