Fruit exports plummet as Cape Town port catastrophe worsens

Despite bumper harvests, fruit exports via the Cape Town port have plummeted this season due to continuing problems at the harbour.

Equipment breakdowns, insufficient labour, a lack of maintenance and declining productivity – along with strong winds – have resulted in massive backlogs and delays, with fruit producers forced to start their peak trading season behind schedule. 

Data from the provincial government and Transnet show that, on average, only 7 717 twenty-foot equivalent containers were moved through the harbour per week over the past four weeks - compared to a target of 20 000 containers.