Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA) entered its 25th shipping season on a positive note, as its fruit reached the US approximately a month ago.
Moreover, the group it is confident about its ability to reorganise following the recent heavy rains in the Western Cape, particularly in Citrusdal where its primary growers are located.
The SCSA encountered setbacks due to prolonged power outages and restricted access to citrus groves and certain roads. Nevertheless, its acceptance of load shedding as a reality in South Africa prepared it for the recent deluge, which resulted in the destruction of roads such as the R303 connecting Citrusdal to Ceres in the south.
Nonetheless, the SCSA remains committed to providing high-quality fruit on a weekly basis throughout the summer.
Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus, told the Dutch food portal Fresh Plaza: "We started our 25th season positively and promptly followed our inaugural vessel, the MSC Shirley, with other vessels now on route to the Port of Philadelphia as our momentum increased throughout June.
“Our business revolves around effectively managing challenges and collectively seizing opportunities. The reports highlighting conditions in the Western Cape have certainly raised concerns about the upcoming season, but I am here to confirm that summer fruit is on its way."
In addition, SCSA has acquired the means to deliver fruit to both sides of the Delaware River at the Port of Philadelphia, confirming the steady and abundant weekly supply of citrus from the Western Cape.
This new approach to citrus shipments grants the group a significant advantage, as it enables sustained long-term shipping opportunities for the program's planned expansion in the near future.
