Climate change logistics warning

Climate change will have a dramatic impact on the perishable industry in the long run. According to Louise Naude, national climate change officer for the WWF South Africa, this is not only because certain crops won’t be grown in specific areas any more but also because of extreme and dramatic weather conditions. “Climate change will bring sudden and unexpected weather events,” she said. “From severe drought to sudden storms and massive rainfalls it is going to affect food production and in turn the perishable export industry globally. Weather volatility is going to be a reality and we are already starting to see it.” And with this changing landscape we will see that crops that have traditionally grown in a region will suddenly no longer be viable due to the changing weather. “The Cape is a very good example of this as it is traditionally known for being able to produce grapes and in turn wine. But we don’t foresee this for the future and in fact already farmers are starting to investigate crops that will grow here more easily as the climate changes - and olives is one of the answers that they have come up with.” She said this would affect the logistics chain significantly and it was important that infrastructure developers ensured they were abreast of what was happening in terms of climate change. “Infrastructure is erected to service long-term needs and therefore having the right infrastructure in place not just to service the current needs of the environment but also the future is important.” She said being able to service a whole new supply chain around a completely different crop was going to be crucial. “Changing weather conditions are already affecting what is being grown where. The Western Cape is heavily dependent on fruit exports but if the climate no longer allows for fruit to be grown here it is going to have to be able to sustain itself with a different kind of crop. Its supply chain will also have to be able to deal with the new crop.” INSERT & CAPTION We will see that crops that have traditionally grown in a region will suddenly no longer be viable due to the changing weather. – Louise Naude CAPTION Cape grape farmers are already starting to investigate crops that will grow here more easily as the climate changes – and olives are one option.