Additional US port access for citrus fruit from South Africa

Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA) entered its 25th shipping season with the support of the MSC Shirley and fruit arrived in the U.S. towards the end of May. Despite recent heavy rainfall in the Western Cape and in Citrusdal, where SCSA’s growers are primarily located, the group is reorganizing after days without electricity and a lack of access to citrus groves and some roads. The reality is that load shedding is part of their daily lives and the Western Cape is a winter rainfall area. Despite the challenges and a minor setback with timing, SCSA promises that high-quality fruit is on the way weekly for the rest of the summer.

“We kicked off our 25th season on a positive note and we followed our inaugural vessel, the MSC Shirley, immediately with other vessels that are now en route to the Port of Philadelphia as we gained momentum through June,” said Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa. “Our business is all about managing our challenges and utilizing our opportunities collectively. The news highlighting conditions in the Western Cape has certainly raised concerns about the season ahead and I’m here to confirm that fruit for the summer is on the way.”