GENERAL
Largest reefer vessel ever exports precious SA citrus The world’s largest and most modern reefer vessel, the Cool Eagle, owned by Southern Route Maritime SA, departed from Cape Town, via Rotterdam to St. Petersburg in Russia in April containing a substantial portion of the 2021 record South African citrus harvest. The vessel arrived safely at the port of Saint Petersburg. of the Cool Eagle. JAN GREYLING EDITORIAL CO-WORKER
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estfruit took up 30% of the total volume available on the ship during this voyage while they will continue to load export fruit to Russia every week, since Week 4 and until Week 42 of the current marketing season. With a bumper crop the past season, South Africa maintained its position as the second largest exporter of fresh citrus in the world, after Spain. The importance of citrus as one of the outstanding South African fruit commodities, a significant contributor towards job creation and rural growth, has been reiterated by record-breaking exports that delivered 146 million cartons of citrus last year. South African growers are expected to export a recordbreaking 163 million cartons of citrus during the 2021 export season, contributing to national government’s goal of increased agricultural exports over the next few years and increased foreign exchange revenue.
THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH Vladimir Borisenko, chief executive officer at Baltic Shipping, confirms that the foremost and most recently manufactured refrigerated freight export vessel in the world, the Cool Eagle, was loading locally produced citrus to Russia, during May. The Citrus Growers’ Association of South Africa (CGA) welcomed the Cool Eagle to help meet the capacity demands of the increasing South African citrus exports. A delegation of the CGA welcomed the all new vessel, which was a first-time caller at South Africa’s ports. “The delegation met the master and crew and took a tour of the Cool Eagle,” says CGA chairperson, Justin Chadwick. Borisenko, who has been appointed as the honorary consul general of South Africa in St. Petersburg last year, is excited about the potential of their relationship with the South African fruit industry. “His direct involvement is good news to us,” said Anton Kruger, chief executive of The Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF South Africa). “Borisenko’s appointment is ceremonial but important, as our government selected him as an influential businessman who is supportive to business promotion with South Africa.”
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COMING A LONG WAY According to Borisenko, fresh fruit delivery from South Africa to Russia has begun after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries in 1992. Due to its geographical location, the fruit harvest in South Africa is a great shopping staple for Russians, providing them with fresh produce packed with vitamins just in time for the winter and spring months. “Citrus fruit are one of the main healthy food products on the Russian table. The prices in stores for South African fruit are often cheaper than even seasonal domestic ones. “Over the years, fruit from South Africa have taken a good place on the Russian table. The Russian market consumes 10% to 12% of fruit produced in South Africa for export. These are mainly citrus (oranges, grapefruit, lemons, tangerines), as well as grapes, apples, pears and plums,” he says. In recent years, exotic fruits such as mango, avocado and pomegranates have also been imported from South Africa. Fruit are the main export from South Africa to Russia and accounts for about 30% of the trade turnover between the two countries. “Currently cooperation between our countries in this area provides work for more than a million agricultural workers in South Africa. On the other hand, high quality cheap South African fruit make up a quarter of the meals of Russian citizens.” An important event for strengthening and expanding bilateral ties, was the first ever Russia-Africa Summit that was held in October 2019 in Sochi. The presidents of African countries and the president of the Russian Federation emphasised the potential and the need to increase the exchange of food products between African countries and Russia. Also, in the context of the sanctions announced by the West against Russia and subsequent trade restrictions, fruitful cooperation with South Africa helps to solve these problems in providing Russians with fresh fruit and vegetables. Borisenko confirms that on May 17, 2021 the first ship with fresh fruit from the 2021 season between South Africa and Russia was unloaded in the port of St. Petersburg after the arrival of the Baltic Purple. That delivery from Cape Town entailed over 3 000 t of citrus, pears and apples which reached the retail markets in Russia. “The main fruit supplier is Zestfruit, a long-standing and reliable partner for the Russian fruit business,” Borisenko
VEGETABLES & FRUIT | JULY • AUGUST 2021
