APL Achieves Australian Citrus Fruit First

APL’s specialized reefer capabilities helped customer ship the first Australian citrus fruit to China

APL’s standing as a refrigerated and climate-controlled (reefer) specialist in the liner shipping industry was recently reinforced when it shipped the first-ever batch of a sought-after citrus fruit, from Australia to China.

Originating in North America in the 1970s, the Queensland Honey Murcott is believed to be a cross between a tangerine and a sweet orange and is much prized in Mainland China. It is among the most widely-planted citrus fruits in Australia, with annual production in Queensland alone close to 26,000 tonnes.

After five years of negotiations, China opened its markets to Australian citrus fruits this year, and since then, two-way trade has grown exponentially. The Chinese market is potentially worth more than A$50 million in exports for Australia's citrus fruit growers. Next year, volumes are expected to be significantly greater, and there are plans to open up the market for more fresh produce.

For one of APL’s customers – a major exporter of the Queensland Honey Murcott, breaking into the lucrative Chinese market had been a challenge, with strict Chinese quarantine regulations limiting export potential.

The exporter consulted APL’s Global Reefer Trade. APL’s solution was to ship the consignment using Cold Treatment (CT) – a special post-harvest handling process for perishables which eliminates the need for fumigation and the use of certain insecticides, thereby helping customers meet local quarantine requirements.

Singapore-based Technical Services Director of Global Reefer Trade, Goh Ah Huat said, “The 22-day journey from Queensland to Tianjin did not come without challenges. The need to “double transship” through Pusan in Korea and Kaohsiung in Taiwan made the consignment’s progress more complex, with the need to ensure the fruit remained in top condition at each supply chain hand off.”

The use of CT, combined with APL’s expert cargo handling, ensured that the first-ever consignment of Honey Murcott from Australia passed through the Chinese quarantine checks without a hitch in August this year. On arrival at Tianjin, APL’s Global Reefer Trade worked with the customer to ensure a smooth clearance for the shipment. The customer was very impressed with APL’s assistance and supervision in the installation, loading and monitoring during the entire voyage and has followed up with many shipments of this sweet and juicy fruit thereafter.