July 15, 2024

Severe Storms Disrupt Citrus Exports, Cut Off Citrusdal in Western Cape

Photo credit: AC Burger photography

In the wake of relentless stormy weather, the Western Cape Province of South Africa faces significant challenges, particularly in its citrus-growing regions. Citrusdal, a key citrus hub, has been severely impacted by two weeks of heavy rains and cold fronts. The town is now isolated, with its main access road destroyed and many orchards submerged, halting the movement of citrus fruits crucial for exports to the U.S. and Europe.

Gerrit van der Merwe Jnr., a prominent grower from ALG Estates and the chairperson of the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa, expressed his concerns from Citrusdal. “Our town is cut-off again. The same road that was repaired after last year’s storms has been washed away. We are unable to transport our citrus fruits, which significantly disrupts our harvest season,” said Van der Merwe. He highlighted the insufficient preventative measures taken despite prior incidents, noting that although roads were repaired, broader flood prevention strategies were not implemented.

The region’s predicament is aggravated by the suspension of shipping operations at the Port of Cape Town due to tumultuous seas, further delaying citrus shipments. Charles Gant from Anlin Shipping mentioned, “The adverse weather in Cape Town has pushed back our U.S. shipping schedule by a week, affecting our overall operations.”

The ongoing situation in Citrusdal is dire, with Van der Merwe warning of potential humanitarian crises due to food shortages, as the town heavily relies on the citrus industry. He disclosed the substantial financial losses incurred by the private sector due to previous floods and emphasized the need for more robust infrastructure planning to mitigate future damages.

Moreover, the stormy conditions have disrupted electricity supply and caused infrastructure damage across other major fruit-growing areas in the Western Cape. Reports from Grabouw indicate localized flooding, although apple orchards remain undamaged. The Hex River region, known for its table grape production, has also reported damage to bridges.

As cold fronts continue to hit the region, the Western Cape’s disaster management services are stretched to their limits, providing aid and alternative accommodation to affected communities, especially in flood-stricken informal settlements.

This ongoing natural disaster not only underscores the vulnerabilities of agricultural sectors in the face of extreme weather but also calls for immediate and effective governmental and industry responses to adapt and mitigate the impact on critical export-driven economies. The Western Cape braces for more inclement weather, with forecasts predicting continued rain and cold, posing further challenges for the region.