The country’s stonefruit industry say stability across US port operations is vital if it is to grow its exports this season
As South African stonefruit exporters proceed with their mid- to late-season shipping to the US market, they have expressed their relief that a strike across US East Coast ports has been averted.
Some exporters held back their early January shipments for fear of disruptions, but those who continued to pack and ship said they were relieved that the strike did not materialise.
Port operations at Cape Town Container Terminal have also moved much better than last year, which will also boost fresh deliveries.
Complying with tough phytosanitary requirements makes these shipments challenging. However, in recent years the South Africans have managed to increase their volumes.
The fruit is discharged in the Port of Newark, and from there is taken overland to customers.
Shipments this season will include inter-specific varieties which have mostly emerged from US breeding programmes.
Exporters have said that consumers are mostly already used to these varieties, and they see a good future for sales in the US.
“This is not an easy market,” Annelie Hauman from Stems recently told Fruitnet. “That is why we are determined to get everything right to build a sustainable market.”
It is estimated that around 1.5mn cartons of plums will be shipped from South Africa to the US this year.
