Fresh Notes: Packhouse Action Group (PAG) Meeting

Held on 3 March 2022

Website and Document Feedback

• The PAG quick link on the Hortgro website remains popular.
• Top downloads:
  1. Container Handling Procedures – 332 downloads
  2. CA Manual Revised (31 January 2019) – 301 downloads
  3. Jaco Visagie – Trends in Container Technology and Supply – 282 downloads
  4. Fresh Notes 182 – PAG Feedback (November 2020) – 278 downloads
  5. Fresh Notes 186 – PAG Feedback (March 2021) – 248 downloads
• The same top 5 downloads continue, though the order has changed. Downloads have increased significantly.

Logistics Chain Efficiencies

Contact: Jacques du Preez

• Slight improvement in productivity in recent weeks, but backlog remains high.
• Measures implemented:
  • 2 shore tensioners installed; 2 more scheduled for April.
  • A crane relocated from Durban.
  • Berth operations increased from 2 to 3.
• Transnet CEO and management are open to cooperation; public-private partnerships (PPP) are being considered to acquire additional equipment due to budget constraints.
• Stack occupancy remains high, but efforts are underway to reduce the backlog.
• Less windy conditions are expected to help.
• Peak deciduous volumes have passed, but citrus volumes will increase soon.
• Temperature management in docks is poor due to slow container coupling; exporters are requested to supply temperature information.

Alternatives to SOPP

Contact: Jacques du Preez

• Several pallet manufacturers were unaware of the unsuitability of SOPP contamination in fruit exports.
• Please check with your supplier regarding SOPP use.

Plastics Strategy

Contact: Dr Malcolm Dodd / Bryce McIntyre

• Move to require PLU stickers on fruit to be compostable.
• France: No plastic allowed on packages less than 1.5 kg.
• UK: From 1 April, packaging weight and recycling percentage (minimum 30%) must be indicated on the bill of lading.
• A plastics meeting is scheduled for 25 March.

Environmental Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Contact: Bryce McIntyre

• SA EPR (5 November 2021) requires levies to be charged to packaging service providers.
• An input/output tax rebate system allows levies to be reclaimed once fruit is exported.
• Members are unhappy that levies are simply passed on to clients; negotiation on cost sharing is recommended.

Fire Risk Project

Contact: Koos Bouwer

• Pierre Goosen, a mechanical engineer specializing in fire protection, has been appointed to manage the project.
• He will attend a seminar on fire protection insurance for cold rooms.
• He would like to interview packhouses; the Chairman appeals for packhouses to make time and volunteer for participation.

Packhouse Water and Energy Benchmarking Projects

Contact: E Vienings

• Project reports are available for download from the Hortgro PAG feedback web page.
• Includes overall pome fruit packhouse water use benchmarks (Jan–Dec 2020) and overall electricity benchmarks.

CA Engineering Meeting

Contact: Richard Hurndall / Henk Ryke

• A CA engineering webinar is scheduled for 24 May 2022.

Market Access Feedback

Contact: Jacques du Preez / Lindi Benic

• Mexico: Awaiting feedback from DALRRD regarding inspection format.
• Taiwan: Awaiting feedback from DALRRD regarding orchard and packhouse lists.
• India: Awaiting feedback regarding in-transit steri; process stalled by Indian Department of Commerce.
• China: China has received pear producer/packhouse lists; inspection method requirement still to be signed off (could be video inspection).
• Thailand: No new information.
• Cameroon: Requires an MRL and lead sample MRL per PUC; inspection service providers must provide a certificate of conformity to guarantee quality.
• Saudi Arabia: Requires the cultivar to be listed in Arabic.

PAG Disciplines and Coordinators

Please contact the relevant person if you have any queries regarding the PAG.

• Chairman: Koos Bouwer (bouweb@orangenet.co.za)
• Engineering: Henk Ryke (henk@tad.co.za), Koos Bouwer (bouweb@orangenet.co.za)
• Packaging: Dr Malcolm Dodd (malcolm@alaceraer.co.za), Bryce MacIntyre (bryce.macintyre@kaapagri.co.za)
• Environmental Footprint: Eddie Vienings (eddie@bluenorth.co.za), Hugh Campbell (hugh@hortgro.co.za)
• Packhouse Large: Dawid Malan (dawid@tad.co.za), Francois Malan (francois.malan@cfg.co.za), Willem Coetzee (willem@dutoit.com)
• Packhouse Small: Hendrik Claassen (hendrik@bellafrutta.co.za), Vacancy
• Post-Harvest Quality: Dr Elke Crouch (elke@sun.ac.za), Henk Griessel (henkg@tru-cape.co.za), Jaco Moelich (jaco.moelich@fruitways.co.za)
• Logistics: Johan Strydom (pslog@mweb.co.za), Andy Connell (andy@abarc.co.za)
• Communication Strategy: Richard Hurndall (hurndallr@gmail.com), Koos Bouwer (bouweb@orangenet.co.za), Elise-Marie Steenkamp (elise-marie@hortgro.co.za)
• PPECB: Bernardus Henning (bernardush@ppecb.com)
• FPEF: Werner van Rooyen (werner@fpef.co.za)
• DALRRD:
  • Director: Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Billy Makhafola (BillyM@daff.gov.za)
  • Regional Manager: NPPPIS WC Directorate: Inspection Services, Gcobani Tsako (GcobaniT@daff.gov.za)
• Hortgro: Jacques du Preez (jacques@hortgro.co.za), Lindi Benic (lindi@hortgro.co.za)
• Research: Prof Wiehann Steyn (wiehann@hortgro.co.za)
• SIZA: Henko Vlok (henko@siza.co.za)