Table grapes from Western Australia will be packed into shipping containers and exported to China over the coming weeks, with improved global shipping container rates and transit times a welcome benefit at harvest time for grape growers.
Due to COVID-related ports congestion, sky-high shipping costs, and a shortage of containers, exporters have struggled to get product to markets over the past two years.
But there are signals this year's crops could have a smoother journey to global markets according to www.abc.net.au
In the Swan Valley near Perth, grape picking is underway while WA's largest table grape grower Fruitico has begun its harvest operations in the south of WA.
Chief executive Roger Fahl said the company pre-booked about 180 specialised shipping containers for its exports. He said container availability had improved and shipping rates had reduced significantly.
"We've got containers booked in now ready to go. Probably 25-plus containers of fruit will go to China of our red seedless variety, that goes to Shanghai and Beijing," he said.
Mr Fahl said containers would still be trans-shipped through Singapore, a process that had caused significant delays last year for some shipments, costing the company $180,000 in fruit quality loss.
However, he was optimistic less congestion in Singapore meant trans-shipments would operate more smoothly this season.