The first table grapes were harvested in Copiapó this week, marking the start of the 2014/15 Chilean season.
According to a report from iQonsulting, the season is running around one week ahead of last year, and quality is reported to be much better than in 2013/14, when much of the early crop was affected by the September 2013 freeze. The first Flame Seedless volumes are expected to be harvested in week 49, while mid-season varieties will come on stream in mid-December and Red Globe at the end of December.
“In terms of sizes, the outlook is mixed, with early varieties showing a normal spread but a high degree of variability,” said Gonzalo Salinas of iQonsulting. “In Flame, meanwhile, the indications are that the crop will tend towards medium sizes.”
iQonsulting noted that the Red Globe harvest in the IV region is likely to be down considerably this year due the severe lack of water. It is understood that in some early regions there is only enough water to supply early and intermediate varieties.
In South Africa, meanwhile, harvesting of the first white and red seedless varieties got underway in the Northern Provinces and Orange River in week 45, with more sizeable volumes coming on stream this week. Fruit quality is reported to be good following a benign spring.
