A collaborative approach has reduced inefficiencies and created real value across South Africa’s perishables supply chain. So says Vijan Chetty, director of the Board for the Cool Chain Association (CCA).Speaking to Freight News, Chetty, who is also the general manager: coastal for the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB), said major inroads had been made over the past few years to improve collaboration between supply chain stakeholders.“When it comes to the cold chain, we cannot work in isolation. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the supply chain was put under severe pressure and we faced some real obstacles. Over the past two years, we have again been challenged by strikes and unrest, as was seen in Durban and other parts of the country. Added to this have been weather-related incidents such as the f looding in Durban.”According to Chetty, the willingness to collaborate has played an important role in dealing with some of the big issues the sector has faced in recent years. “In the supply chain, we have to collaborate. Whether a port terminal, a shipping line or a cargo owner, it is only by working together that we can address the challenges.”He said the industry had come a long way in ensuring this collaboration, adding that transparency was key. “Several forums have been established where stakeholders can hold frank conversations and openly discuss their concerns and problems, as well as how we can overcome them. It is about coming forward, rolling up our sleeves and working together so that we get down to business and ef fect change.”The past few years have not been easy on the cold chain industry. It came under tremendous pressure to move Covid-19 vaccines the world over. In South Africa, the industry had barely recovered from the ongoing global pandemic when massive rioting, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, again brought supply chains to a halt. More recently, severe f loods in Durban brought the movement of freight in and around the port to a standstill – dealing shippers yet another blow.“The majority of South Africa’s agricultural volumes move via sea freight,” said Chetty. “The ports and their infrastructure were already under pressure because of Covid-19, which saw a worldwide shortage of containers. At the same time, sea freight rates have hit all-time highs. “These have been major challenges for the cold chain sector to address and overcome.”With South Africa already a long-haul destination, any delay in the movement of its refrigerated cargo can have serious consequences.But according to Chetty, the industry continues to collaborate – a positive outcome of the pandemic. “There is a real commitment by the various stakeholders to work together and find solutions to some of the pressing challenges. Our outlook for our agricultural exports is, therefore, very positive.”He said volumes had been on the increase despite the hiccups experienced both internationally and locally. The citrus industry, for example, celebrated a record-breaking export season last year despite a cyber attack hitting Transnet and the unrest experienced in July. A total of 161.6 million cartons of fruit were exported despite the tough circumstances.
