The Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) has warned exporters using Durban port that there is still considerable congestion, with cold stores blocked out and the situation unlikely to normalise any time soon.
CGA CEO Justin Chadwick has advised them to only send fruit to port after ensuring that there is space to accommodate it.
“There are hundreds of trucks parked around the port precinct,” he said.
This is in the wake of the cyberattack that disabled electronic systems and paralysed container terminals in all South African ports.
While Transnet did its best to get the full IT system restored, and used manual systems as an interim contingency, it wasn’t enough to alleviate the pressure.
Citrus being shipped via breakbulk vessels wasn’t impacted because this fruit
was serviced by private terminals in domestic ports, but there is currently a backlog of fruit across the citrus supply chain causing temporary delays when it comes to fruit being exported to key markets.
