A series of cold fronts that passed over the Cape region of South Africa this week have cause some disruption of citrus harvesting activities in the Olifants River Valley, the main citrus producing region.
Heavy rainfall resulted in flooding throughout the River Olifant’s tributaries, causing damage to roads, particularly in the upper regions of the valley.
“The rain has disrupted harvesting, but it has not affected the packing activities as the rain was preceded by some fine weather and we have enough fruit to pack,” said Piet Smit, CEO of the Western Cape Citrus Producers’ Forum. “However, damage to the roads temporarily cut off a number of packhouses and farms in the upper regions of the valley.”
Mr Smit told Fruitnet that some growers near the affected areas have lost trees, washed away by flash flooding.
However, he added that the weather has now cleared and there is unlikely to be any disruption to shipments. “The third reefer vessel of the season loaded in Cape Town this week and is now sailing to Philadelphia,” he said.
Meanwhile, the first major South African shipment of the season has been enthusiastically welcomed by the trade in the US.
