Strike threat overshadows weather-related concerns

gloom, the recent heavy rains,
which claimed 120 lives and left
a trail of destruction, have not
put a damper on South Africa’s
perishable-producing sector,
although some exporters are said to
have taken a knock.
Perishable exports are, however,
expected to come under increased
pressure because of the strong rand
and the threatened pre-Valentine’s
Day truck drivers’ strike.
While the agriculture sector
says it has suffered losses worth an
estimated R2-billion in the wake of
flooding that has affected eight out
of nine provinces in the country,
representatives of the perishable
sector are still counting its losses.
Jacques de Preez of Hortgro,
which represents the deciduous
fruit industry, says fruit production
for export has not been affected.
‘’The weather has not had any
significant influence on the fresh
deciduous fruit industry… strikes,
however, do impact negatively on
our industry. Producers are facing
a challenging season,’’ he said.
Du Preez said the strengthening
rand was already putting pressure
on producers’ profitability. “If there
is a full-blown transport strike, we
are facing disaster,” he said.
Sandra Baetsen, a spokeswoman
for the Fresh Produce Exporters’
Forum, representing around 80% of
total fresh fruit exports, said it was
too early to gauge weather-related
impact on exports. Last year’s
strike by truck drivers cost the
agriculture industry around
R1-billion. The strike over
wages is expected to
start on February
13 and could
bring exports to
a halt, resulting
in additional
shipping costs
and surcharges.
The fruit export industry is
annually worth around R12-billion.
Rhomona Gounden,
international relations and
marketing manager of the South
African Table Grape Industry, said
there had been delays in harvesting
but the weather had not had any
impact on the packing of table
grapes. “There has been a slight
downturn in supply,” she said,
adding that they were concerned
about a repeat of the 2010 strikes,
which could cause disruptions and
impact negatively on agreed fruit
supplies from South Africa.