South Africa citrus shipments begin, with adjustments

Shipments of South African citrus are arriving in the U.S. this week, according to the marketing group Summer Citrus from South Africa.

The first vessel of the season will arrive at PhilaPort, The Port of Philadelphia, and contain 3,900 pallets of clementines and navel oranges, according to a news release. Based on market demand, the release said, easy peelers are now the largest portion of summer citrus from South Africa, accounting for almost 50% of planned shipments this season. 

“Quality of fruit this season is excellent, and volumes are on par with what we anticipated,” Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa, said in the release. “Retailers should be prepped, stocked and ready for the busy citrus demand this summer.”

Because of logistics and supply chain hurdles, Summer Citrus from South Africa is unable to ship containers directly to Packer Avenue, Philadelphia, which would have accounted for almost 30% of shipments for the summer, the release said.

“It is no secret that there are issues with the supply chain and logistics; however, our sophisticated business model ensures that we are prepared and able to adjust plans as needed,” Conradie said in the release. 

To offset some of the logistical problems, the group said it will be loading a few additional conventional vessels with containers that will be shipped via Port Newark in New Jersey. Additionally, some of the larger importers will be adding the Port of Savannah, Ga., as the point of entry for containers from Capetown, according to the release.

For more information on the season, please visit www.summercitrus.com.