Glimmers of hope for increased use of rail for citrus

The 2025 citrus export season has now reached its peak. The estimates suggest that, should all go well, a record amount of 171.1 million 15kg cartons of citrus will be exported by the end of the season. As South Africa's largest agricultural export industry, the value of smooth and improved logistics is widely recognised by the sector. Port logistics have been receiving more attention in general, but the role improved rail usage can play in bolstering the sector should be more widely acknowledged.

Just over a week ago, the first train carrying dozens of refrigerated containers of citrus departed from City Deep in Johannesburg to the port of Durban. 2025 is expected to be a bumper year for this route and its success is largely made possible by the organisational efforts of CTI Logistics, a Johannesburg-based logistics company.

40% of South Africa's export citrus is grown in Limpopo. Once harvested, the produce must be kept refrigerated under strict cold protocol temperature as it travels about 850 km to Durban before it is shipped. Currently, about 90% of the citrus is shipped to the Port of Durban via trucks, which makes rail projects like the CTI-organised train exceptional.

The Limpopo-grown citrus shipped from the City Deep terminal is trucked to CTI's cold storage facilities close to the terminal, from where it is loaded. Every week during the high season a train with a minimum of 48 "reefers" (refrigerated containers holding 20 pallets of citrus) departs from Johannesburg in this way. "Currently the terminal has 48 plug-points, but it has the capacity to expand in the future," explained Claudia Cuturi, the managing director of CTI Logistics, about the Transnet facilities. A plug-point supplies a reefer with electricity for temperature management.

"Transnet sometimes gets bad press, but really, these containers in Johannesburg are treated like their own children. Temperatures are checked through the night and day. Along the route, where necessary, a safety car follows the train to provide additional security," continued Cuturi.

The need for increased shipments of citrus in this way - and on other routes - is pressing for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the economics of rail transport is clear: rail shipping averages significantly lower costs per ton compared to trucking. Secondly, rail is a much greener option. Trains are much more fuel-efficient, lowering the carbon footprint of produce shipped in this way. Recent studies found that rail is four times more fuel efficient than trucks, and results in 75% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Thirdly, road conditions and disruptions on the trucking route to Durban are unfortunately often factors that need to be taken into account - accidents, closures, congestion, damaged road surfaces.

Finally, the remarkable growth projected for the South African citrus industry should be noted. Much more fruit will be coming off the trees. The Citrus Growers' Association (CGA) estimates that peak season weekly truck trips will increase from the current 2 200 to well over 3 800 truck trips over the next three seasons. Our roads simply cannot handle this type of increase. Sensible rail options must be available.

Cuturi says there is considerable scope for upscaling. "The more containers we move, the cheaper the rates can be. And the structure is there to grow the project. Currently, the citrus on the trains are all destined for Europe. Great care is taken to ensure the specific protocols necessary. Other destinations can be added. The Perishable Products Export Control Board do checks at the terminal," Cuturi explained.

Other similar ventures also have the potential to be upscaled. Kholwa Logistics has been running reefers on trains from Bela-Bela with considerable success. Kholwa works closely with Transnet, and a group of citrus producers in the Groblersdal-Marble Hall area makes use of this freight option for their export citrus.

Although saddled with serious infrastructure, safety and maintenance challenges, points of light do exist, such as the limited use of rail during citrus season. It is essential that these efforts are nurtured and built upon.

While the CTI and Kholwa citrus trains make use of traditional forms of Transnet service, the future for rail in South Africa offers exciting new prospects that can also increase rail efficiency.

In March, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy launched a Request for Information to develop private sector participation and enhanced investment in rail and port infrastructure and operations. The submission officially closed on 30 May, and earlier this month the Department of Transport announced that a total of 162 formal responses were received.

The CGA has also identified the greater Loskop Valley region in Limpopo as one area that has immense potential for upscaled rail transport due to its geographical location and large-scale agricultural production. Facilitated rail access to the North-South corridor to Durban port could truly become a game changer for citrus exports.

Facilitating the use of rail through a variety of projects and partnerships is essential to achieving the citrus industry's goal of creating 100 000 new jobs by 2032. With a boost in production due to new trees coming into fruit, one half of the goal is on track to be achieved. But the other half - actually getting our world-class and much-loved fruit to foreign markets in a timely and efficient way - requires serious attention over the next few years. And without the increased use of rail, the industry will not be able to achieve its goal.

Projects like CTI’s City Deep rail and Kholwa's link prove that with the right partners, rail can move faster, greener, and smarter. Growers, exporters, government, and logistics providers should commit to rail as a strategic priority. It’s not just about citrus volumes - it is about securing South Africa’s place in global markets and delivering on the industry’s bold vision of job creation.

Mitchell Brooke is the Logistics Development Manager for the Citrus Growers' Association

*** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL.

BUSINESS REPORT