Efficient sea and air freight operations play a critical role in facilitating market access for high-value perishables. The faster growers and freight forwarders can move products from farm to market, the higher the derived value, owing to extended shelf life, reduced waste and, ultimately, lower costs for retailers and consumers, says special economic zone (SEZ) Dube TradePort.

Consequently, Dube TradePort is preparing to launch the second phase of its Dube AgriZone, an 18 ha, fully serviced, agriculture-focused development aimed at unlocking opportunities for “agri- entrepreneurs”, smaller growers, emerging farmers and horticulturalists.

“This expansion will reinforce Dube TradePort’s position as a key enabler for high-value perishable produce production, post-harvest handling, and distribution, while making these services accessible to smaller producers,” says Dube TradePort cargo development and operations senior manager Ricardo Isaac.

In the 2024/25 financial year, produce valued at R50.3-million was grown and/or handled within Dube AgriZone, with the second phase expected to significantly increase output while enabling small-scale farmers to participate more effectively in South Africa’s fresh produce and export markets.

Dube TradePort is, therefore, actively helping to address the barriers that limit small-scale farmers’ growth potential by providing integrated infrastructure and support services that enable access to high-value markets.

Strategically located in the King Shaka International Airport precinct, Dube AgriZone 2 offers access to modern road networks, warehousing and logistics support, packhouses and cold storage facilities, reliable water and electricity supply, established distribution channels to major national retailers and direct access to export markets through the Dube Cargo Terminal.

“For investors, Dube AgriZone 2 presents a compelling value proposition combining fully serviced land, advanced agricultural infrastructure and seamless market connectivity,” Isaac states.

Corridor Upgrades

One of the core strengths of the Dube TradePort is its ability to facilitate efficient trade flows by connecting businesses to domestic, regional and global markets, Isaac explains.

In the 2024/25 financial year, tenants generated exports worth R2.5-billion, reaching the Southern African Development Community region as well as international markets such as Austria, the UK and China, by way of Hong Kong.

“This performance was underpinned by critical logistics infrastructure, including the N2 and N3 corridors, the Durban Container Terminal and expanding rail capacity. These systems enable the seamless movement of goods, while a multimodal transport network ensures flexibility in meeting varying cost, speed and cargo requirements,” Isaac points out.

As a result, businesses are better positioned to deliver products competitively and respond to evolving market opportunities.

Additionally, from an industrial property and air services perspective, Dube TradePort has invested resources in facilities, services and infrastructure at the Dube Cargo Terminal to create a “world-class environment” for the processing of time-sensitive and high-value cargo.

“Over the past seven years, Dube TradePort has made significant investments in systems, people and infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of the Dube Cargo Terminal, including the creation of a specialised oversized cargo handling area, equipped with hoists, mobile cranes and conveyor systems. This has enabled the terminal to seamlessly handle a diverse range of cargo,” Isaac explains.

These facilities will allow for the efficient handling of bulky items such as large pipes, heavy machinery, motor vehicles, livestock and even standard 20-foot shipping containers.

In parallel, Dube TradePort has been actively engaging with freighter operators to establish new air cargo routes linking Durban with regional and international markets. These efforts are supported by strong future growth prospects driven by manufacturing and assembly activities within the adjacent Dube TradeZone.

“The second phase of the Dube TradeZone is already over two-thirds occupied, with the remaining sites largely taken up. Additionally, two new construction projects are currently under way, and Dube TradePort is engaging with three investors that are considering further expansion of their facilities within the precinct, signalling sustained demand and confidence in the platform,” Isaac states.

The Dube TradePort has attracted a strong mix of industries with notable growth in automotive manufacturing and components, specialised textiles, electronics, as well as logistics and warehousing.

Moreover, from an airfreight perspective, the Dube Cargo Terminal has seen a marked increase in the export of perishable goods, including meat, fruits and vegetables to meet rising international demand. Export of automotive components has also grown, reflecting the growth of local beneficiation and the integration of components into global supply chains. On the import side, there has been a notable rise in textiles, particularly fast fashion, driven by rapidly evolving consumer trends.

“These trends are accompanied by increased imports of industrial chemicals and critical machinery components, which play an essential role in supporting local manufacturing across South Africa, and the broader Southern African region,” Isaac concludes.