Transnet says its port terminals are fully prepared for the 2026 citrus export season, following a 22% increase in export volumes recorded last year.
The state-owned freight and logistics company has finalised readiness plans in collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure smooth operations between April and September, when peak exports are expected.
Key focus areas include managing refrigerated container demand, expanding stack capacity, coordinating vessel schedules, and strengthening contingency planning to avoid disruptions during the high-demand period.
Transnet confirmed that terminals in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape will operate on a 24-hour basis throughout the season. This comes alongside approximately R9 billion in infrastructure investment over the past three years aimed at improving port efficiency.
South Africa remains one of the world’s leading citrus exporters, with earnings from the sector exceeding R39 billion in 2025, underscoring the importance of reliable port operations to the agricultural economy.