Volumes of fruits going through the Cape Town Container Terminal, increased by 16% year-on-year, in the first quarter of 2026/27.
Transnet said truck turnaround times, rail performance and vessels waiting times, also improved.
This emerged at a meeting held between Barbara Creecy, the Minister of Transport and the fresh produce industry stakeholders, on Tuesday.
Transnet said the purpose of the meeting is to strengthen the port’s performance, reliability and resilience ahead of the 2026/27 deciduous fruit export season.
Creecy said “as South Africa’s premier gateway for perishable and agricultural exports, the Port of Cape Town handles approximately 80% of the country’s deciduous fruit exports, making reliable and efficient port operations critical to the sector and the broader economy.”
She also said the engagement provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made, listen to industry, and reinforce the importance of coordinated planning across the logistics value chain.
“As we prepare for the upcoming export season, Transnet remains committed to working alongside exporters, shipping lines, fruit industry bodies and other stakeholders to sustain these gains, address remaining constraints and support the efficient movement of fresh produce to local and international markets” she said.
Picture: Supplied