Addressing Port Congestion: Overcoming Logistical Challenges in South Africa’s Fruit Export Industry

By Carlie Solomon

The Port of Cape Town has long suffered from operational inefficiencies that significantly delay fruit shipments. These inefficiencies have far-reaching economic consequences, with substantial portions of fruit lost due to spoilage and quality degradation.

The resulting increase in transportation costs and diminished reliability negatively impact South Africa’s position in the global fruit export market, making it more challenging to maintain competitiveness against major players such as Chile and Argentina. For instance, during the current season, exporting fruit via Port Elizabeth costs between R30 000 and R40 000 extra per container.

The current delays at the port are not only attributed to inefficiencies in handling and processing shipments but also to broader structural issues, such as outdated infrastructure, workforce shortages, and bottlenecks in scheduling.

Outdated infrastructure prevents a speedy catch-up after wind delays. Export seasonal peaks make these issues even worse, leading to congestion and backlogs affecting the timely delivery of fruit to key international markets.

The inefficiencies at the port not only affect exporters but ripple throughout the entire supply chain, impacting farmers and farm workers, distributors, and retailers alike. These inefficiencies collectively reduce South Africa’s competitiveness as an exporter, placing increasing pressure on the industry to adapt and modernize. It undermines South Africa’s standing as a reputable supplier of high-quality fruit.

Cold chain management remains an issue, with temperature fluctuations during transit leading to reduced shelf life and increased rejections at foreign markets. Poor road infrastructure further delays transport, heightening the risk of spoilage even before the fruit reaches the port. Due to port congestion and delays, the cold stores cannot accommodate the backlog due to capacity constraints, and this lack of reliable cold storage facilities means that fruit quality is often compromised before it even reaches the ships, leading to financial losses for exporters and a decline in consumer confidence in South African produce. Greater investment in cold storage solutions and real-time temperature monitoring systems could significantly improve the reliability of the cold chain.

Inadequate intermodal transport options further compound logistical inefficiencies. South Africa’s over-reliance on road transport due to the underdevelopment of its rail network has led to heavy congestion on key routes, making the timely transportation increasingly difficult. Limited intermodal integration has created bottlenecks in the supply chain, preventing the efficient movement of large export volumes. Establishing dry or inland ports in key agricultural regions has been identified as a potential solution to ease congestion at the main port, allowing for more streamlined and coordinated transportation.

Addressing these issues requires the implementation of targeted solutions. The Port of Cape Town currently has a truck booking system to regulate truck arrivals, but it is not functioning efficiently, leading to continued congestion and delays. An improved truck booking system, incorporating real-time tracking, better scheduling algorithms, and integration with port operations, would significantly enhance efficiency and reduce bottlenecks.

A more transparent and digitally connected system would allow exporters and logistics providers to plan more effectively, reducing idle time for transport operators and ensuring a better flow of goods through the port. Infrastructure investments, including port equipment upgrades, expanded cold storage facilities, and improved road networks, would also contribute to greater efficiency.

Implementing digital tracking systems would further enhance coordination between stakeholders, minimizing delays associated with documentation and security concerns. Digital transformation in logistics, including the use of predictive analytics and artificial intelligence, would also improve demand forecasting and optimize resource allocation within the supply chain. International benchmarking against successful global export hubs could offer insights into best practices that could be adapted to the South African context.

South Africa remains a dominant force in the global stone and pome fruit export market. However, failure to address these logistical constraints threatens the industry’s ability to maintain its position and capitalize on growing international demand. The country’s geographical advantage and established reputation in fruit exports could be undermined if these inefficiencies persist. By proactively modernizing port operations and optimizing logistics, the sector could enhance its competitiveness and increase export revenues. A collaborative effort between government agencies, private stakeholders, and logistics providers is essential to realizing these improvements and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector.

The research highlights the importance of investment in logistics infrastructure and operational modernization. Addressing port congestion, enhancing cold chain management, and improving intermodal transport options are critical steps in securing the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s fruit export industry. By implementing these solutions, the country can strengthen its foothold in global markets, ensuring continued economic growth and resilience within the agricultural sector. The development of public-private partnerships and policy reforms aimed at improving efficiency could play a significant role in overcoming existing challenges and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector. A commitment to innovation, collaboration, and policy alignment is necessary to create a resilient and competitive export sector capable of sustaining long-term growth and global relevance.

• Carlie Solomon is currently busy with a Master’s Degree in Transport Economics at Stellenbosch University. This is a summary of research conducted for her honours degree completed in 2024.