South African fruit exports, expected to be between $70 million to $80 million in 2010

Hammonton and Glassboro, which cater to tomato, peach and blueberry growers, "there is lots of management and skilled labor who know how to handle fruit," Holt said. In nearby Kennett Square, there is temperature-controlled storage traditionally geared to the mushroom industry.

South African fruit exports, expected to be between $70 million to $80 million in 2010, will benefit the entire region because many who work on the piers in Gloucester live in South Philadelphia. Others live in South Jersey. "Likewise, the guys who work the container ships over at Packer Avenue live in South Jersey or Wilmington. It's a community," Holt said.

"The South African fruit for us fills in a lot of gaps in the slow season," said Jim McLaughlin, chief stevedore at the Gloucester terminal. "Summer is notoriously slow for general cargo. The South African fruit is a boost. It's more hours, particularly for longshoremen and truck drivers. It's a trickle-down thing."

The ships will arrive every 10 days from South Africa and "will keep people working who might not otherwise have opportunities," Holt said. "So it's a very important piece of business."