Terry Gale, chairman of Exporters Western Cape, said ongoing improvement, particularly in the port's productivity, was paying off.
Import volumes are back to normal as vessels reroute around South Africa due to disruption in the Red Sea.
The EU's efforts to diversify its sources have also contributed to the increase.
But there are no shortages in the local supply chain and allowing rebates will damage the industry, warn producers.
The US military disclosed that it had intercepted and downed at least 28 unmanned aerial vehicles.
