State-owned Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) said there has been an increased volume of citrus fruits arriving at ports via rail, as the citrus season reaches its halfway mark.

The Durban Container Terminal has received 980 refrigerated containers via rail since the beginning of the season in April. While only representing the first half of the season, this is about 16% higher than the entire 2024 season of 846 railed containers, says TPT Commercial and Planning GM Michelle van Buren Schele.

South Africa’s citrus export season has reached its halfway mark, with TPT recording an 18% increase in volumes at the end of June compared with the 2024 season.

South Africa is exporting higher volumes during the season, with the EU coming in as the biggest consumer, followed by the Middle East, she says.

Industry organisation the Citrus Growers Association has confirmed the national volume forecast of 106 500 refrigerated containers and that TPT is on track to achieve it, she adds.

South Africa is the second largest producer of citrus fruits in the world, after Spain, and exports to more than 100 markets through container terminals managed by TPT in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town, says Van Buren Schele.

Additionally, the terminal operator is making good progress on plans to increase productivity, having been without vessel backlogs and delays across port terminals nationwide for a long period, she says.

“New equipment has been commissioned and deployed in operations across the Durban and Gqeberha container terminals.

“The new equipment includes a ship-to-shore crane at the Port Elizabeth Container Terminal, rubber-tyred gantry cranes, straddle carriers, haulers, forklifts, trailers, and reach stackers at the Durban Container Terminal, as well as haulers and trailers in Cape Town container terminals and haulers in Richards Bay,” says Van Buren Schele.

In the 2024/25 financial year, TPT invested R3.4-billion in new equipment and infrastructure, which represented an increase of 145% from the previous year.

“We are focused on growing our business and meeting customer expectations through integrated planning with strong collaboration between ourselves and industry, across all the sectors in containers, automotive, bulk and break bulk,” she says.