Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA) entered its 25th shipping season with the support of the MSC Shirley and fruit arrived in the U.S. towards the end of May. Despite recent heavy rainfall in the Western Cape and in Citrusdal, where SCSA’s growers are primarily located, the group is reorganizing after days without electricity and a lack of access to citrus groves and some roads. The reality is that load shedding is part of their daily lives and the Western Cape is a winter rainfall area. Despite the challenges and a minor setback with timing, SCSA promises that high-quality fruit is on the way weekly for the rest of the summer.
“We kicked off our 25th season on a positive note and we followed our inaugural vessel, the MSC Shirley, immediately with other vessels that are now en route to the Port of Philadelphia as we gained momentum through June,” said Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa. “Our business is all about managing our challenges and utilizing our opportunities collectively. The news highlighting conditions in the Western Cape has certainly raised concerns about the season ahead and I’m here to confirm that fruit for the summer is on the way.”
New to its 25th shipping season, the group from SCSA has gained access to deliver fruit to both sides of the Delaware River at the Port of Philadelphia confirming a steady and plentiful weekly supply of citrus from the Western Cape of South Africa, both with conventional and container vessels. This new approach to citrus shipments provides a significant advantage for the group in providing sustained long-term shipping opportunities, for the planned growth of the program in the near future.
“Supply is up to expectations and ready to satisfy the demand for citrus in the U.S. throughout the summer. Weekly arrivals will arrive at the Port of Philadelphia from July onwards for the remainder of the season,” said Conradie. “Our unique model of collaboration has proven successful yet again and we have not only forecasted a healthy supply of citrus, but we’re also committed to delivering fruit to satisfy the U.S. market.”
SCSA operates in an area with a Mediterranean climate where winter rainfall forms an essential part of the planned sustained growth for future years. The video below is available to illustrate SCSA’s plan and includes messages from the group’s Board of Directors to kick off its 25th season of shipping fresh citrus to the U.S.
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For more information:
Jessica Schneider
Summer Citrus from South Africa
jschneider@dma-solutions.com
www.summercitrus.com