The Namibian table grape season has started early with volumes and size up and a relatively clear UK grape market offering suppliers significant opportunities.
Ten cool days a few weeks ago meant Flame Seedless product turned red much sooner than other years created the shortest harvesting and packing period ever.
Capespan Namibia managing director, Andrè Vermaak, expressed excitement about hitting the UK and continental markets before Christmas with such exceptional quality grapes.
Quality is said to be “outstanding” with around an 18 per cent increase in the premium branded Capespan Gold grapes on last season. All Flame Seedless will arrive in the market pre-Christmas.
Early Sweet and Prime volumes are on par with the 2008 and 2007 seasons and are being harvested the same time. Vermaak indicated that the berry size was excellent and said “this means the product should fly off the shelves”.
Capespan Namibia started harvesting the first Thompson Seedless on November 23, five days earlier than other years. Victoria is also being harvested at the moment. With a berry size 1mm larger than 2008 on these two cultivars, the volume will be 17 per cent up on the original forecast.
Red Globe and Crimson Seedless are following the same path as Flame Seedless in terms promising colouration and harvesting will start as soon as the sugars increase, Vermaak reported.
He said: “In short, Namibian volumes, quality and berry sizes are fantastic. Plus, our current weather is conducive to a truly good harvest all around.”
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