The South African table grape sector is entering a critical few weeks as grapes that were packed in early January arrive in the market.
These grapes were packed in the period after unseasonal rain hit the Western Cape during week 1, and exporters are somewhat nervous about the latest arrivals.
Apart from this, as well as the fact that overall volumes are down compared with last year, South African exporters are reporting on a fairly strong market. indeed, If they can get through the next two weeks, they may well end the season strongly.
SATI’s latest figures indicate that up to week 8, 35.3m cartons had been exported compared with last year’s 38.3m cartons. Producers have, however, packed some 38m cartons up to week 8 compared with last year’s 44m cartons, giving rise to predictions that the total crop will be between 5m and 6m cartons down on last year.
The Northern regions of South Africa packed slightly less than last year, while the Orange River was about 1m cartons short on 2012/13. Frost caused much damage in the Orange River and at one time it was feared that it would do much worse.
The Olifants River exceeded last year’s harvest but the Berg River region is running almost 2m cartons behind last year. The late Hex River region, where heavy rain and hail wiped out the early crop, is trailing last year’s volumes by some 3m cartons.
The Hex River is now packing large volumes of Crimson Seedless, Red Globe, La Rochelle (a seeded black variety) and Autumn Royal. After the early setbacks, growers are having excellent weather and late season quality is reported to be good.
