Rising energy costs and rolling blackouts are taking a huge financial toll on local fruit producers by driving up production costs and causing losses in fruit quality.
The South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) states on its website that 0,05% (regular) diesel and petrol cost around R11/l and R13/l respectively at the start of 2017.
However, as of 4 January 2023, both prices had increased to over R20/l, having reached highs of almost R25/l (0,05% diesel) and just over R26/l (petrol) in July 2022, according to SAPIA.
On top of this, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) recently approved an 18,65% electricity price hike for Eskom, which means that from April this year, electricity will cost 173,80c/kWh, up from 146,48c/kWh.
Nersa also approved an additional 12,74% electricity price increase for the 2024/25 financial year, which will take the price to 195,95c/kWh.
A WORLDWIDE DILEMMA
But this kind of situation is not unique to South Africa. Calla du Toit, procurement manager at Tru-Cape, says that the global energy crisis,
