The Covid-19 pandemic has presented the perishable industry on the African Continent with significant challenges in both the marketing and logistical value chain, says Vijan Chetty, general manager coastal for the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB).While the South African perishable industry reported increased production in most fruit and grain commodities – this increased production, combined with good quality and phytosanitary standards, has positively impacted both local market and export supply chains, says Chetty. However, the Covid-induced disruptions throughout the value chain have to an extent negated this. Most SA airports were placed on lockdown – significantly affecting export traffic through these hubs. The only airport permitted to operate international f lights was OR Tambo International Airport. Chetty says the South African f lower industries in particular are in dire straits due to market closure and limited international f lights. “South Africa’s main export market, the Netherlands, was closed and reports indicate that this market is dumping its f lowers. It has been reported that perishable airfreight volumes have reduced by 40% and f lowers by 60% across the globe.” Further slowing down global trade is the sluggish recovery of China’s logistics sector from the pandemic – and the initial build-up of containers at Chinese ports has created logistical problems around the world, among them the reduced availability of refrigerated containers for sea freight shipments. “In SA, shipping lines reported extremely low levels of refrigerated container stocks, which had a negative impact on agricultural and perishable exports. This problem was compounded by the growing number of staff at container depots testing positive for Covid-19 – which further negatively impacted operations,” he adds. While South Africa’s ports remained operational during the pandemic, human resources were a problem as staff stayed home to avoid infection. In the Port of Cape Town staff absenteeism resulted in delays in vessels within SA. In addition shipping lines added a congestion surcharge to container shipments, further increasing costs for the industry, says Chetty.However, there have been some positives from the crisis: • A decrease in silo mentality within operations between all sectors, including government and private industries. • An improvement in agility within organisations and re-purposing of operational and business models. • Business has conducted strategy reset exercises and reviewed growth and innovation platforms to be open to diversification, especially within the perishable industries • Business unusual prevails and the industries are now working in close collaboration • Working from home has become the latest trend within SA and many countries • Communication and information sharing has drastically improved• An urgent drive to digitalise processes.