Cape Town’s port has achieved an impressive feat: despite enduring more than twice the windbound hours in February compared to the same period last year, table grape exports have surpassed the previous season's performance. By Week 10, the port shipped 96.1 million 4.5kg cartons, marking a 3% year-on-year increase, according to the South African Table Grape Industry (Sati).

A total of 76.91 million cartons were inspected for export by Week 10, a 5% rise compared to 2024. This figure slightly exceeded the national crop estimate, showcasing resilience amid challenging conditions. The bulk of these exports—77%—were destined for the EU and UK, while 10% reached North American markets.

The port’s logistical upgrades played a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of adverse weather. Antoinette van Heerden of the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum highlighted that the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) is now fully operational with all nine ship-to-shore cranes and 24 rubber-tyred gantry cranes in use. Additional equipment, including nine new RTG cranes arriving by March’s end, is expected to further bolster capacity.

Despite these advancements, wind delays in February resulted in approximately 500 fewer containers being exported compared to Sati’s prescriptive logistics model. Jacques Ferreira, Sati’s commercial affairs manager, noted that increased reliance on conventional vessels and delays of about seven days to key markets reflected the persistent challenges of the port’s windy conditions.

Productivity, as measured by gross crane moves per hour, showed improvement—reaching 13 moves in Week 10, up from 11 the previous year. While delays and equipment breakdowns pushed productivity to a season-low of nine in Week 7, the port’s overall performance underscores a commitment to overcoming operational hurdles and maintaining South Africa’s competitiveness in global produce markets.

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