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The Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF), HORTGRO, and the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) have noted the release of the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025, which again ranks the Port of Cape Town as the lowest-ranked container port globally, at 400th out of 400.
While the ranking is disappointing, with all South African ports among the weakest performers globally, it is important to recognise that several ports recorded significant improvements during the reporting period. Durban was identified as the most improved port globally compared with 2024, despite remaining at number 398. Ngqura (Coega), at number 380, and Port Elizabeth, at number 314, also featured prominently among the world’s top improvers. This demonstrates that progress is possible, and that focussed interventions can deliver meaningful results.
A strategic gateway for fruit exports
For the fresh fruit export industry, however, Cape Town’s performance remains a strategic concern and continues to pose a significant risk to the sector’s future viability and growth. The port serves as South Africa’s primary export gateway for deciduous fruit, citrus, and other agricultural products destined for international markets. Roughly 80% of South Africa’s deciduous fruit exports are shipped through the Port of Cape Town.
“The fruit industry supports approximately 320 000 jobs, accounting for around 35% of agricultural employment and 2% of total employment in South Africa. Ongoing inefficiencies at Cape Town and other ports are driving up costs, eroding competitiveness, and putting these jobs at risk,” said FPEF CEO Piet de Jager.
In the 2025/26 deciduous fruit export season, logistics-related inefficiencies cost table grape producers about R3,2 billion, and stone fruit growers about R1,05 billion in lost revenue and additional costs.
Operational improvements still needed
FPEF, HORTGRO, and SATI acknowledge the efforts undertaken by Transnet Port Terminals and Transnet National Ports Authority over the past year to maintain, upgrade, and replace equipment. However, operational performance remains low and unacceptable.
“We appreciate the ongoing and constructive engagement between Transnet and industry stakeholders as we work together to address longstanding challenges, but we need to see and experience productivity improvements,” said De Jager.
Reliability is key to competitiveness
The latest CPPI results are a reminder that sustained improvement remains essential. South Africa competes in global markets where reliability, efficiency, and predictability are critical to shipping services, investment decisions, and customer confidence.
The industry remains committed to collaborating with Transnet, government, and industry partners to support practical public- and private-sector interventions that improve port performance and strengthen South Africa’s export competitiveness.
Translating progress into measurable gains
“The improvement seen at other South African ports offers encouragement that progress is achievable. The challenge now is to translate those gains into consistent, measurable improvements in Cape Town, ensuring that the country’s most important gateway for agricultural exports can support growth, job creation, economic development, and the safeguarding of rural livelihoods,” said De Jager.
Achieving this will strengthen South Africa’s competitiveness in global markets and provide greater certainty for exporters, shipping lines, and international customers alike.
For more information, contact Piet de Jager, CEO of FPEF, at piet@fpef.co.za; Denene Erasmus, market development and communications manager of SATI, at denene@satgi.co.za or +2784 548 4606; or Elise-Marie Steenkamp, group manager: Communications of HORTGRO, at elise-marie@hortgro.co.za or +2721 870 2900. – Joint media release: HORTGRO, SATI, and FPEF.
