Western Cape apple, pear sector faces US$57M loss from port delays

SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa’s apple and pear exporters are raising urgent concerns over delays at the port of Cape Town, warning that logistical inefficiencies have already cost the Western Cape industry about R1 billion approximately US$56.57 million in 2024.

On August 11, 2025, the Western Cape Department of Mobility met with Two-a-Day, one of the country’s largest apple and pear cooperatives, and its logistics partner Link Supply Chain Management.

The meeting included a site visit to discuss solutions for ongoing disruptions that threaten the sector’s global market position.

“We work in a complex, time-sensitive value chain. If a vessel to Europe, the United Kingdom, or the Far East is missed, the sale is gone. You don’t get a second chance to deliver on time in a programme-driven market,” said Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing.

“Logistics is the single biggest risk for us right now. If we can’t get our product out, everything else, from on-farm innovation to market development, is compromised.”

Two-a-Day operations director Chris Petzer noted that port delays often force them to divert containers to Port Elizabeth at a steep cost just to keep shipments moving. “It’s not sustainable, but sometimes it’s the only option to prevent greater losses,” he said.

While some crane productivity improvements have been recorded, Link Supply Chain Management managing director Chris Knoetze said the gains remain far below industry needs.

“Given several interventions, like Transnet’s appointment and changes at senior management level, the repair and maintenance of equipment, solving personnel matters, focusing on operational improvement and capital investment in new rubber tyre gantry cranes (RTGs) in Cape Town Container Terminal, we should expect to see a step change in productivity to at least twenty gross crane movements per hour (GCH) or more in the coming months. However, the process is still too slow and far removed from the 33 GCH reported by Transnet in November 2012,” he explained.

“When port operations are disrupted, it impacts product quality, increases costs, and damages our credibility with overseas buyers,” Knoetze added.

Government’s stance and industry’s call

Western Cape Department of Mobility deputy director-general Corrine Gallant said the province is working on both landside and waterside improvements. “This includes improving road freight safety and capacity, restoring rail services like the Overberg line, and ensuring that the Western Cape’s needs are heard at a national level. We cannot afford more costs in the chain, our focus is on solutions that remove bottlenecks and protect jobs.”

Industry representatives stressed that delays in decision-making could lead to global shipping lines bypassing Cape Town. “The farmers, pack-houses, and exporters are investing in efficiency every day,” said Link director Gerhard van Heerden. “Now we need the same urgency and commitment at the port – because without it, the entire value chain is at risk.”

Western Cape Minister of Mobility Isaac Sileku agreed that faster execution is vital. “We cannot afford to be reactive. We must have formal agreements and mechanisms in place so that when bottlenecks arise, we know exactly which button to press. Speed of execution is critical – our farmers and exporters cannot wait years for solutions.”

The Western Cape apple and pear sector remains a major contributor to local jobs and the provincial economy. Stakeholders say improving Cape Town’s port efficiency is essential to protect the industry’s hard-won position in global markets.

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