March 26, 2026
Georgia Ports prepares for citrus imports with expanded cold chain infrastructure
The Georgia Ports Authority is preparing for the seasons first arrivals of citrus from South Africa, South America and other markets.
"This year, we will be serving a broader portfolio of citrus customers and cold chain shippers. We've added new vessel services to citrus markets and we have a new $4.5 million temperature-controlled, CBP inspection site opening in June, which is on our Garden City Terminal for ease of use," said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch.
Imports from South Africa, Chile and Peru are expected to start crossing the Port of Savannah's docks in May and June coinciding with the completion of the new chilled cargo inspection facility.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations at the Port of Savannah are expanding to include a 4,000 square foot refrigerated space for chilled cargo inspections. It's part of a new 300,000-square-foot facility on Garden City Terminal, doubling the size of CBP's previous location.
Opened in February, the $44 million facility is being expanded to support temperature-controlled cargoes that need inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The new temperature-controlled section of the facility offers produce importers the option to have chilled cargo inspected on-port or off-dock at refrigerated warehouses.
Source: Georgia Ports Authority