Port of Cape Town crisis: Transnet to be called to committee
18 January 2024
Transnet will be invited to appear before the Standing Committee on Finance, Economic Opportunities and Tourism, to provide feedback on the struggles the Port of Cape Town has faced during the table grape and stone fruit export season.
The Port’s performance has been well below par over the last month, with delays of up to 3 weeks reported in getting produce to ships. This means that fruit spends too much time in cold chambers, potentially affecting the quality and making it unfit for foreign markets.
According to Hortgro, which represents various organisations in the fruit industry, the total volume of apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, apples and pears shipped through the Port of Cape Town in November and December was down about 35% compared with the same time last year.
Important stakeholders affected by the Port will also be invited to brief the committee, including: