Infrastructure concerns blight an otherwise optimistic export outlook

FRUIT EXPORT marketer Capespan has every reason to feel satisfied after a record 2007 citrus crop – 91 million cartons representing 15 million more than the previous year. But it’s not plain sailing ahead. Charl du Plessis, Capespan continent supply manager, suggests the major challenge for 2008 is the lack of infrastructure to support volumes that have doubled over the past five years. Furthermore, the capacity to carry this increase has remained relatively stagnant. Working smarter at whatever it does is therefore key if Capespan, indeed the citrus industry, wishes to remain globally competitive. Du Plessis says although there is a good citrus crop on the trees, there are concerns about rain in the northern areas. He explains growth has been absorbed successfully due to a bullish commodity cycle, especially for citrus concentrates, well co-ordinated growth in varieties with commercial appeal and acceptable export information to make for sound market decisions. Focusing on the prospects for the coming season, Du Plessis says the world-wide lemon shortage bodes well for South African lemons in the market while low easy-peeler volumes from Spain and the resulting early exit from European markets, should create receptive conditions for South African easy-peelers. Du Plessis reports100% growth in direct door-to-door business in five Eastern European countries last year. Swiss and Austrian markets, he says, are showing significant increases while exciting new opportunities have presented themselves to further streamline Capespan’s supply chain in the French and German markets. Positive news for the grape sector is that Capespan’s first arrivals of attractively-packaged Capespan Gold, specially selected Namibian Thompson seedless grapes, were well received in the UK.