CMA CGM’s Seasonal Fruit Service Returns

The CMA CGM Group announced its Citrus Express seasonal service will start again in November. Spread over two rotations, this service enables to export citrus fruits and apples from East Mediterranean to the Black Sea.

It will call the ports of Syria, Turkey and the Black Sea from November to January, then Egypt, Syria, Turkey and the Black Sea from January to April.

According to CMA CGM, the citrus market is growing and benefits the export countries. With 80% of the citrus being produced on the Mediterranean coast, the Citrus Express service relies on refrigerated container shipping. The Turkish lemons and tangerines, the Egyptian oranges or the Syrian apples will all be carried on refrigerated containers to ensure the goods are kept at a desirable temperature, humidity and atmosphere for conservation during transport.

Vice-President of CMA CGM Asia Med Lines Stephane Courquin said, “As usual, the group proves its flexibility by adapting its service offer. With Citrus Express, we are responding to our clients’ demand at best and we support citrus export development in Turkey and Egypt. The objective is to propose a more reliable and ecological alternative to road transport which also presents a risk of spoilage. With the Reefers containers, all degradation will be avoided.”