Grapefruit are proving to be South Africa’s perishables star performers in 2011, with shipped volumes thus far in the export season surpassing those sent out for the whole of last year. According to the latest PPECB statistics, 13,2m 15 kg cartons of grapefruit have been shipped from South Africa’s ports to foreign markets. In 2010 10,4m cartons were shipped. Growers are optimistic that the best is yet to come. They have revised upward their original 2011 estimate that 14,7m cartons would be exported. The figure is now 15,7m cartons. But the cost of shipping fruit remains as troublesome to exporters’ bottom lines as the continuing strength of the rand. A production and logistics cost trend analysis earlier this year reported that the average SAR freight all-in rate was R1 250 per pallet in 2006 and 2007. Following the 2008 oil price hike the freight all-in rate is currently averaging R1 750 per pallet – a R500 per pallet increase and R7 per carton (70 cartons per pallet).
