Woolworths fresh produce supply affected by heavy rain in Gauteng

SOUTH AFRICA – Heavy rainfall in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal has disrupted the fresh produce supply to Woolworths stores, causing shortages of vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, and cauliflower.

The retailer acknowledged the impact and assured customers that efforts were underway to restore normal stock levels as soon as possible.

The recent heavy rains in key agricultural regions have had a significant effect on South Africa’s fresh produce supply chain.

Farmers have struggled with excessive moisture, which has slowed harvesting and affected the quality of some crops. As a result, Woolworths and other retailers have faced difficulties in maintaining consistent stock levels of fresh vegetables.

Woolworths directly addressed customer concerns, responding to queries about the shortages. “Hi Rory, we’re aware of a supplier issue that has meant less stock of our meat on shelves.

It’s a top priority to get supply back to normal, and we are very sorry for the impact this has had on you and your shopping trips, please bear with us – we’re working on it,” the retailer stated.

Despite these difficulties, Woolworths assured customers that progress is being made in resolving the disruptions.

“Our supplier has resolved their internal challenges; production started on Friday and has been fully restored,” the retailer noted. Woolworths expects shelves to be fully restocked by the end of the week.

The broader fresh produce market in South Africa has been affected by the unusual weather patterns, with retailers working to manage supply chain disruptions.

The heavy rains have created challenges for farmers, particularly in regions like Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, which are important for vegetable production.

To mitigate shortages, retailers are sourcing produce from other regions, though availability remains inconsistent in some stores.

While challenges persist, there is positive news from the country’s fruit sector. South Africa’s apple and pear industry is experiencing a strong season, with projections showing an increase in exports.

Apple exports are expected to reach 51.3 million cartons, reflecting a 5% rise compared to 2024. Pear exports are also set to grow, with an estimated 21.1 million cartons, marking a 4% increase.

Industry experts attribute this growth to favorable growing conditions, high-yielding varieties, and expanded production in new orchards. These factors have helped offset some of the difficulties seen in the vegetable supply chain.

Woolworths and other retailers remain optimistic that the situation will stabilize soon. While some shoppers may experience temporary shortages, efforts are being made to ensure that fresh produce remains available across the country.

Customers are encouraged to remain patient as suppliers work to recover from the weather-related setbacks.

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