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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
Zestfruit 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.”
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
The Cool Eagle offers world class cooled export shipping.
Photo supplied
says. For the development of trade cooperation between Russia and South Africa, Zestfruit, head up by Freek Dreyer, was awarded with the certificate of honour of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2020.
Borisenko says regular service is enhancing mutually beneficial business ties between the two countries. “This is especially necessary with the shortage of containers in the world, making our additional, modern refrigerated vessels, recently built in Japan, very valuable. These are the largest reefer vessels in the world with a capacity of up to 12 500 pallets (high cube) in the holds (under deck) and in 300x40 feet (91.4 x 12.2 m) of containers on deck.”
ALL ON BOARD
Marié Dreyer, digital marketing co-ordinator of Zestfruit, confirms that the breakdown loaded onto the Cool Eagle on route to Russia was made up of manderins, navels, grapefruit, lemons and pomelo (Table 1).
“We are proud to know that the export of our citrus to Russia is on schedule. It is a privilege to do business with Baltic Shipping as a world leader in its class,” says Dreyer.
Fruit sent to Russia during this season by Zestfruit include grapefruit, mandarins, lemons, apples and pears. Production areas contributing to the export freight load include Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.
According to Dreyer South African fruit onboard the Cool Eagle are mainly destined for Moscow markets, St. Petersburg markets, supermarkets and smaller sales in Azerbaijan and Russia regions.
“Currently Russia forms about 8% of the total annual South African citrus export. The service of Baltic Shipping is exceptional since they outperform all competitors in an environment where shipping time and accurate arrival planning remain crucial.”
She mentions that the cooling facilities on the reefer vessels have much milder impact on South Africa’s cool chain sensitive produce, resulting in an improved quality on arrival compared to container shipping. The responsibility of South African growers is to pack according to Zestfruit quality standards for Russia. Zestfruit’s quality control team is assisting to
Table 1: Breakdown of fruit cargo on the Cool Eagle. Variety Total cartons Pack (kg)
Grapefruit 18 660 16,5
Lemons 14 220 15
Mandarins 38 376 10
Navels 19 890 15
Pomelo 1 575 11
Grand Total 92 721
Source: Zestfruit
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this effect during packing.
Once packed, the precious export fruit is transported to the refrigeration facilities by trucks. Temperature recorders are used to monitor each batch ensuring that the cold chain is maintained. Prior to export loading onto the ship, the Zestfruit team finally inspect each batch to prevent fruit being exported with any progressive defects.
“We welcome the fact that Russia is taking up the share of our harvest which fits the Russian needs best. Russia is important to Zestfruit since it is a good strategic fit within our marketing plan,” says Dreyer.
A FAMILY OF EXPORT GIANTS
According to Borisenko, 10 556 high-cube pallets of fruit was loaded into the holds of the Cool Eagle on its way to Russia, as one of South Africa’s trade partners within the BRICS group.
Borisenko confirms that Baltic Shipping is an agent for Cool Carriers AB. “They now have 36 vessels under operation as the biggest operator of conventional reefer ships in the world. Beside relatively old vessels, we took over five brand new ships built in Japan,” Borisenko says.
“These are Cool Spirit, Baltic Spirit (18 499,679 m3) built in 2018; Cool Explorer (25 625,330 m3) built 2018, Cool Express and Cool Eagle built in 2021. These vessels are the biggest and most modern among existing reefer tonnage.”
Cool Eagle is a reefer vessel sailing under the flag of Panama. The carrying capacity of this impressive ship is 21 900 t DWT. Her overall length (LOA) is 189,9 meter and her width 30 meter.
According to Kruger, most of the South African fruit exported to Russia is being carried by vessels belonging to Baltic Shipping. “We are sustaining a long and valuable good relationship with them.”
Baltic Shipping has been carrying out regular shipments from South Africa for over 20 years and has established itself as a reliable partner and an important link between South African fruit producers and importers from Russia. On average, from April to September, depending on the harvest, approximately 200 000 tons of fruit are transported, says Borisenko.
Kruger reiterates that citrus provides a significant contribution to job creation and economic activity in rural communities. “The industry has expanded notably over the past decade.”
As for 2021, the preliminary forecast shows that the Southern Hemisphere citrus crops are expected to reach 22,7 million tons, export quantities are expected to increase by 12,72% to 3,8 million tons.
Earlier the minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development, Thoko Didiza, said the citrus industry’s investment is starting to pay off.
“A challenge will be ensuring that, as a government, we open more export markets for the industry, as the estimates suggest there will be roughly 300 000 tons added into the current volumes in the next three years that require an export market.”
EXPERIENCES BY A RIJK ZWAAN SWEET PALERMO FARMER
Handrey du Plessis of Nocton Farm (operating as Agri-Ovis) has been producing standard green peppers for approximately four years before he ventured into growing Sweet Palermo.
ACCORDING TO HANDREY, the Sweet Palermo has more fruit per plant and is a vigorous grower. The plant density on the Sweet Palermo is the same as the standard green pepper. He grows three plants and nine stems per square meter.
To the question of whether he had to make changes in his growing system to accommodate Sweet Palermo, he answered; “We made no changes in our growing system, the Sweet Palermo fitted well into the current system. Furthermore, our seedlings are grown by Moorland Seedlings who provides us with a good quality product.” Handrey explained that the Rijk Zwaan representative Schalk Kotze, the crop specialist James du Preez and the South African team are consistent in their service to support and aid him throughout the growing season of Sweet Palermo. “The team always encourages us, and they really became part of the family,” he commented. His greenhouses currently have 1 000 m2 under Sweet Palermo production and he is planning to expand as the market grows. “Everything needs to work together; right from the breeders of the Sweet Palermo seeds, through to growing of the plants in order to obtain top-quality fruit for the consumer to enjoy. Rijk Zwaan’s team is always a call away and they support us with the best technical advice. Their pride in their product and passionate service to the producer is clear every time they visit the farm,” Handrey concluded.
Schalk Kotze, Sales Representative Eastern Cape and Handrey du Plessis of Nocton Farm
