South Africa exported 6 per cent less stonefruit this year compared with last season, with adverse climatic conditions having a major influence on the crop volume.
However, growth in nectarine orchards, which came into production this year, was a saving grace and turned what would have been a bad crop into an average one.
The category which endured the biggest loss was apricots, dropping 13 per cent compared with last year. Nectarines also fell by 5 per cent and plums by 7 per cent. The only growth was in peaches, which experienced a 14 per cent rise, albeit from a smaller volume.
In all, South Africa exported some 15.9m cartons of stonefruit, compared with last year’s record crop of 16.9m cartons. The strength of the industry is however shown by the fact that this season's crop was still higher than the average of the past three years.
“Plum and nectarine orchards in the Ceres and Klein Karoo regions were mainly affected by hail,” said Jacques du Preez, product manager for stonefruit at Hortgro.
He noted that prolonged spring conditions and rain during the harvest season influenced the quality and volume of the crop: “Despite this we still had an average crop, but it was difficult to manage fruit quality.”
More than 150ha of nectarine orchards came into full bearing during the 2013/14 campaign, Du Preez explained. “This contributed to the average crop realised despite the adverse weather. Cultivars which performed well during the season with an increase in export volumes included August Red (+11 per cent), September Bright (+32 per cent), Sunburst, which had an increase in production of 66 per cent, Diamond Ray (+54 per cent) and Superstar (+40 per cent).”
Observers have said the increase in volumes of these exciting new varieties which are so well know for their exceptional taste is a clear indication of how quickly the nectarine sector is transforming itself to a whole new product offer.
Du Preez expects reasonable increases in export volumes next season because 25-30 per cent of stonefruit orchards are not yet in full bearing. “Early indications for the next season are therefore positive.'
He also referred to South Africa’s promotional campaign in the UK and on the continent, outlining that during the past five years it had gained a lot of momentum.
“The focus so far of our international campaign has been very Eurocentric, but we are busy with a strategy to get a much closer relationship between market access (technical, political and lobbying) and market development. These two will work hand in hand to ensure the opening up of and expanding of markets – firstly in the ME, FE and Africa, but also in other regions of Europe we haven’t been active in.”
