'Information hub could make a difference'

NEW PACKAGING materials and designs will be scrutinised by technology developers, especially where biodegradability and proper ventilation are concerned, says Stuart Symington of the FPEF. Post-harvest diseases, like botrytis rot, need to be curtailed using alternative treatments to sulphur dioxide to which some consumers are allergic. Symington gives credit where it is due, saying that the country’s container terminals are faring quite well given the equipment at their disposal and the massively increased cargo pressures placed on the terminals from booming South African export industries. “We can still improve our port efficiencies, though, particularly in the peak weeks of Cape Town and Durban ports,” maintains Symington. “The fruit-exporting fraternity also has to look at itself when addressing port efficiencies. Incorrect documentation supplied by truckers at gate entrances to ports can cause serious congestion. And the availability of 24-hour stack times is not properly used by the exporter community either.” The innovation programme can address these problems, in his view. One of the most significant innovations could be the establishment of an industry information hub where a wide variety of timeous and accurate information can flow on a daily basis to directly affected groups.