The afternoon session at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Southern Africa Conference cast the spotlight on what many consider the most urgent issue in the fresh produce industry: the crumbling state of logistics and its impact on exports.
Photo: Jedrie Harmse
With shipping delays, regulatory red tape, and failing port infrastructure, logistics experts issued strong warnings about the risks facing Southern Africa’s fruit and vegetable exports.
Steve Alaerts, partner and director at Foodcareplus Logistics, didn’t mince his words when describing the state of global logistics.
“It’s a s***show,” he said bluntly, drawing a reaction from the delegates in the conference hall.
“Getting fresh produce into Europe, South Africa’s most vital market, is an ongoing infrastructure nightmare,” he continued.
“We need to stop thinking of logistics as just getting produce to the port. It’s about reaching the consumer – and we need to rethink how we do that.”
Contingency planning essential
Alaerts highlighted mounting delays at harbours, warning of the domino effect caused by congested, multi-cargo vessels and the lack of adaptive shipping strategies.
“Cargo doesn’t move in isolation. Delays from other industries affect us too. We must break the habit of relying on the same old routes and systems. Contingency planning is no longer optional, it’s essential,” he stressed.
Werner van Rooyen, chief operations officer of the Fresh Produce Exporters Forum, echoed Alaerts’ concerns.
“Logistics is more than the physical movement of goods. It’s also the movement of information and money. And when one local port struggles, the whole system – here and abroad – feels the ripple effects.”
Van Rooyen placed much of the blame on South Africa’s primary logistics operator, Transnet.
“Years of under-investment, outdated equipment, and crumbling infrastructure has pushed the system to breaking point,” he pointed out.
“Transnet port terminals and the National Ports Authority are no longer able to meet the demands of the industry. The only way out is private sector involvement.”
The result, he explained, is worsening congestion, long berthing delays, and frustrated exporters stuck in queues at the country’s major harbours.
Sharing of ‘critical data’
Both speakers agreed on a path forward. They called for greater collaboration, smarter data use, and strategic diversification. Alaerts called for better sharing of “critical data” between stakeholders, emphasising that the industry must shift toward a collaborative model based on mutual respect and transparent communication.
“Breaking down data silos is crucial if we want to improve efficiency and meet consumer expectations,” he said.
Talks are already underway, according to IFPA, to explore shared data solutions and strengthen the fresh produce supply chain.
The message from these industry leaders is clear: logistics must move from afterthought to top priority, or the cost to exports, producers, and consumers alike could be severe.
