Summer Citrus is a collective of dedicated citrus producers in South Africa, committed to delivering fresh, high-quality citrus fruit to consumers in the USA. Two years ago, MSC partnered with Summer Citrus South Africa to establish a seasonal supply chain, creating a flexible new route from South Africa to Philadelphia, USA. The route, which needed to accommodate the fluctuating nature of seasonal produce and perishable goods, highlights MSC's expertise in logistics and maintaining a cold chain.
Finding flexible solutions
MSC’s existing USA/Canada service was adapted to include a new express seasonal fortnightly call in Philadelphia. For Summer Citrus, the service came with upgraded reefer capabilities; before the route was established, the producer group had no direct container options from South Africa and previously shipped in bulk. Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus, reflects on the partnership: “We work with a perishable commodity with an ever-changing life cycle, and timing is everything in our line of business. MSC understands the complexity of our programme.”
The new route enabled SCSA to switch to reefer containers, ensuring optimal freshness. MSC uses advanced reefer technology, including Cold Treatment (CT) protocol, to protect the fruit from damage caused by temperature fluctuations during transit.”
Antonino Ferraiolo, MSC’s reefer specialist, emphasizes the importance of developing tailored solutions: “We are passionate about finding flexible solutions for every customer, combining cutting-edge technology with a people-first approach.”
Expanded shipping routes
As MSC and Summer Citrus celebrate two successful years, there are hopes to expand shipping routes to Savannah, Georgia, and Houston, Texas. This partnership underscores a commitment to collaboration, enhancing service capabilities, and fostering a legacy of quality and trust in the citrus industry
- Find out more about shipping citrus fruits with MSC.
Read more about our solutions for fruits