Perishable terminal feels the squeeze

A bad crop combined with a bad market resulted in fruit exports out of the Port of Maputo just not reaching their target. While an average of 80 000 pallets of citrus per year is generally exported out of Maputo, in 2009 Mozambique Fresh Produce Terminals (FPT) did not even achieve 60 000 pallets. “It was a combination of factors,” says Paulo Franco, regional general manager of FPT. “If we had had a good crop it would probably have helped a bit as fruit does always find a market. But the global economic downturn combined with the crop was just not an optimal situation.” Fruit exports across the country took a knock due to the global financial crisis. “Fruit volumes have been down everywhere, not just here. In fact we have managed to hold our heads up and if next year’s crop is good, we expect to be back at our average or even better and get to 100 000 pallets.”