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    Home > Food News > Food Articles > South African port strikes continue, halting exports of more than 185,000 tons of citrus

    South African port strikes continue, halting exports of more than 185,000 tons of citrus

    • Last Update: 2022-10-25
    • Source: Internet
    • Author: User
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    The South African Citrus Growers' Association (CGA) today said that strike action by workers of South Africa's state-owned transport company (Transnet) has prevented some goods from passing through ports, threatening more than 185,000 tonnes of citrus destined for South African overseas markets
    , according to South African media reports.
     
    CGA chief executive Justin Chadwick said citrus exports from the Eastern and Western Cape could be affected
    by the strike.
    Chadwick said that although it is currently the end of the season, 7,800 containers of fruit still need to be shipped from the ports of Durban, Ngqura and Cape Town, which could be affected
    .
    More than 60% of South Africa's citrus sold for overseas markets is exported
    through the Port of Durban.
     
    Workers at South Africa's state-owned port and rail operating company went on strike a week ago, with the South African National Transport Union (UNTU) and the South African Transport and United Workers Union (Satawu) demanding a 13.
    5 per cent
    pay increase.
    But the pay rise was less than half what the union was demanding, and Transnet announced a force majeure event last week, saying the strike would have a profound impact on
    economic activity in all industries.
     
    In addition to the citrus industry, the berry industry is another agricultural sub-sector
    that has suffered potential losses.
    The berry season is at its peak, and the berry industry says the strike could lead to a drop in exports of about R3 billion this season
    .
     
    Chadwick noted that it is reassuring that ocean freight services have not been affected and that shipping is operating as usual
    at the port.
    CGA will continue to communicate with Transnet on possible solutions to mitigate the impact
    of the strike on the industry.
     
    Prior to the Transnet workers' strike, the South African citrus industry faced a number of challenges this season, such as the European Union's new citrus cold treatment regulations, which led to the suspension of exports of some varieties of
    South African citrus.
     
    Last month, CGA voluntarily stopped exporting Valencia oranges from certain regions that contracted a disease that attacks citrus, citrus black spot.

    Like many industries, South Africa's power supply problems have exacerbated the citrus industry's woes, where running generators to keep cold storage running has resulted in huge electricity bills
    .
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