South Africa's persimmon growers are preparing to harvest a crop of around 7,000 tonnes this year, according to the country's largest packhouse operator for the fruit, Arisa.
The crop is also likely to be slightly earlier than usual, with some growers apparently preparing to begin harvesting in late March.
The forecast represents a 17 per cent increase on last year's volume, which came in around 6,000 tonnes.
This season, Arisa said it expected to receive around 16,000-17,000 bulk bins of the fruit, which is marketed as Sharon Fruit out of South Africa.
Last year, that figure was just below 14,000 tonnes with a total of 243 containers of the fruit exported, compared with 279 containers in 2013.
'Great prospects with the fruit on the trees looking good and great excitement in the air,' the group commented.
'The harvest could be earlier, with the first fruit scheduled to be picked and delivered during week 13 or 14. Can’t wait for the start and lots of sweet and juicy fruit available for Sharon Fruit lovers between April and June!'
