The Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa has welcomed the Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) addition of a direct shipping service to Europe from the ports of Ngqura and Port Elizabeth.
The global container shipping leader recently announced the additional service, that will run every Tuesday from the end of May to the beginning of September, during the height of the citrus season.
CGA CEO Justin Chadwick said the additional route was a “welcome development” by MSC which had provided the local citrus industry with shipping services for many years.
“This additional service is good news for Eastern Cape citrus growers. Our members in Patensie, the Sundays River Valley and Kat River who export their high-quality citrus to Europe will be able to make use of this option, which helps to protect jobs and much-needed foreign revenue for the country,” said Chadwick.
“The CGA looks forward to the year with cautious optimism. The fruit on the trees are looking very good and we expect an increased crop yield in the coming season. There is a potential for another record-setting number of cartons exported.”
He said the GCA projected that South Africa could increase its citrus exports from last year's 165.1 million 15kg cartons to 260 million cartons by 2032.
“This will not only generate more revenue but create 100 000 more jobs on farm level alone.
It is in this context that the CGA is thankful for increased capacity in the shipping market,” said Chadwick.
