Agriculture, Economic Develop-ment and Tourism
With reference to the Agricultural Trade Digest published on 24 May 2026, which highlights that difficulties at the Port of Cape Town negatively affected the financial conditions of fruit growers by forcing a rerouting of produce to Eastern Cape ports:
- (a) What is his Department’s estimate of the total tonnage of Western Cape agri-cultural products diverted to Eastern Cape ports during the 2025/26 peak export window and (b) what specific subsectors, besides table grapes, were most affected;
- whether his Department has engaged with (a) Transnet and (b) organised agriculture to prevent a replication of these bottlenecks during upcoming crop cycles; if so, what are the relevant details;
- what support mechanisms is his Department deploying to assist emerging farmers who lack the capital liquidity to absorb unexpected multi-provincial transport costs?
(1)(a) While a total wide tonnage estimate has not been reported, but in consultation with various industries estimate of about 55,000 tonnes of diverted table grapes were reported. Even though exact figure was not indicated but it was also reported that exporters of pome and stone fruit incurred substantial additional costs from diverting fruit to alternative ports, with shipments through Eastern Cape ports increased sharply during the season.
(b) In addition to table grapes, the other subsectors affected were the deciduous fruit industries, particularly apples and pears (pome fruit); stone fruit i.e. peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines and cherries.
(2)(a) The Department has participated in ongoing discussions with Transnet to address operational shortcomings at the port and improve performance ahead of future export seasons. According to Transnet it was working closely with the industry to find solutions and implement recovery measures. In addition, industry concerns were escalated directly to Transnet's executive leadership, and recovery plans were introduced to reduce export backlogs and improve terminal operations. The various engagements discussions focused on equipment reliability, labour and operational management, communication, and contingency planning to reduce future disruptions.
(b) Discussions regarding the port bottlenecks also involved organised agriculture bodies, including Hortgro, the South African Table Grape Industry and the Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum. These organisations highlighted the increased costs incurred by rerouting fruit through Eastern Cape ports and agitated for corrective measures before future crop cycles. It can be confirmed that Transnet is collaborating with organised agriculture and other stakeholders to minimise future friction and improve export logistics.
(3)(i) Farmers are supported with funding for production inputs, including fuel, through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support programme.
- Farmers are encouraged and where needed, assisted through extension services to plan appropriately for production needs (cycles) and for eventualities.
- Through the commodity approach, farmers gain access and create linkages with industry organisations which enable access and support from industry structures and commercial agriculture initiatives.
- Furthermore, it is always emphasised during training sessions and farmers’ days that producers must have risk reduction plans in place, i.e. insurance, share resources to reduce overhead costs, apply regenerative agricultural practices, conduct proper market research, and adhere to production window periods (cycles), to mitigate and survive unexpected disasters.
