ASK ANY South African who has been overseas and they will tell you about the exceptional quality fruit they have seen on the supermarket shelves and in the local market places in any number of countries.
“What most South Africans don’t know is what it takes to get our great southern African fruit to these world markets,” says Fresh Produce Terminals’ general manager marketing, Michael Paulse.
For example, to safeguard their own fruit industry, importing countries such as Japan have introduced phytosanitary import restrictions aimed at eradicating any parasites that may infect their own orchards.
One way of achieving this is by cold-treating, or cold sterilising the fruit prior to arrival in the importing country in order to kill off any larvae that may be present. “This is an effective, but high-risk process,” says Paulse, “as it could also result in chilling injury to the fruit. Considering that an average shipment is valued at around R25 million, this is definitely not a task for amateurs.
“Fresh Produce Terminals has developed the specialist skills necessary to ensure a successful outcome for this process and has not yet Ôcold damaged’ a pallet,” said Paulse.
Denny Reddy, general manager of Fresh Produce Terminals - Durban looks after this terminal and his “Cold Steri” team is headed up by Collin Gengen.
In a typical fruit season, Gengen and his team will arrange the cold sterilisation of over 100 000 pallets. Bearing in mind that each pallet is managed within a tolerance of a tenth of a degree Celsius, this is some achievement, says Reddy.
“This technical process is just a part of the intricate logistical arrangements that have to be made to ensure that an exporter’s fruit reaches his overseas buyer,” he added.
In addition to specialising in fruit sterilisation and handling, FPT is a licensed stevedore and is able to offer vessel operators and exporters a one-stop service.
Intricate logistics expertise keeps SA fruit on top Fresh Produce Terminals has developed the necessary skills
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