Crumbling ports are threatening a rare South African export success

Amidst South Africa's citrus boom, logistical nightmares haunt fruit exporters like Blydevallei Boerdery, grappling with collapsed rail services and congested ports. With Transnet's failures causing delays and reputational damage, exports face 20-hour truck odysseys and long harbor queues, risking spoilage and economic loss. Despite efforts to salvage the season, uncertainty looms over the industry's future. As global markets wait, the race against time underscores the urgent need for infrastructure reform and reliability in South Africa's crucial fruit trade.

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By Ntando Thukwana and Mpho Hlakudi

At a packhouse at Blydevallei Boerdery, near South Africa's eastern border with Mozambique, workers pluck unripe grapefruit off a conveyor belt. It's the best chance of getting them to export markets thousands of miles away before they spoil. 

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