South Africa has strengthened its position as a leading global supplier of fresh produce, with agricultural export revenues rising through 2025 on the back of expanded cold-chain logistics and record refrigerated shipping volumes.
Total agricultural export receipts are estimated at US$11.7 billion so far in 2025, driven largely by temperature-controlled shipments, according to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
Perishables Drive Export Growth
South Africa’s perishables sector has recorded consistent growth over the past five years, supported by strong export demand for citrus, table grapes, apples, and pears. These commodities form the backbone of the country’s refrigerated export flows and rely heavily on stable cold-chain infrastructure to maintain quality and meet international phytosanitary standards.
MSC reported record reefer volumes shipped from South Africa in 2025. According to Zane Godwin, MSC’s national export commercial executive, refrigerated cargo now accounts for almost one-third of the company’s total export business out of South Africa.
“Today, reefer cargo represents nearly one-third of our total business out of South Africa, with around half of those volumes destined for European markets,” Godwin said. “This reflects the confidence exporters place in MSC to transport highly time- and temperature-sensitive goods reliably, season after season.”
New Services Support Peak Export Seasons
To meet rising seasonal demand, MSC has introduced a Western Cape Express service, aimed at reinforcing export capacity during the peak fruit-harvesting period. The service enhances MSC’s existing North-West Continent–South Africa and North-West Continent–Morocco–West Africa networks, providing stronger coverage during the export season.
MSC said the service offers seamless connections between key South African ports and major European gateways, improving reliability and transit times for exporters during high-volume periods.
In addition, MSC launched its USWASA Express service in late 2025, linking South Africa and West Africa to the United States East Coast, including ports such as New York, Baltimore, and Savannah. The route expands market access for African fresh produce exporters targeting North American consumers.
Expanding Cold-Chain Infrastructure
To align vessel capacity with growing perishables trade, MSC continues to invest in cold-chain infrastructure through its logistics subsidiary Medlog.
A cold-store facility in Durban provides approximately 15,000 square metres of temperature-controlled storage space, supporting both chilled and frozen produce with full regulatory traceability.
According to MSC, the facility enhances South Africa’s export competitiveness by reducing time-to-market for perishables and strengthening the supply chain from farm gate to final destination.
Medlog has also expanded cold-chain facilities in Savannah, reinforcing transatlantic refrigerated trade routes. The Savannah site functions as a logistics hub for perishables moving into and out of North America, linking African production regions with overseas consumer markets through controlled cold-chain systems.
Outlook
With global demand for fresh produce continuing to rise, industry participants say investments in shipping services and cold-chain logistics are becoming as critical as farm-level productivity. South Africa’s ability to scale temperature-controlled exports positions it strongly in competitive international fruit markets, particularly in Europe and North America.