The first airfreighted Capespan Gold Flame grapes from South Africa arrived in the UK on Wednesday.
Steve Belsey, Capespan procurement manager for grapes, said: “We are delighted with the quality of our first arrivals - this is part of our strategy to target the discerning customers who are looking for something special in grapes on a regular basis.”
Matt O’Donohue, Capespan’s trading account manager, said: “The fruit is excellent and we will have good availability for the pre-Christmas market.”
Jason Tanner, md of New Covent Garden Market’s Premier Fruits, said: “It’s good to have the Capespan Gold marque available in the market again. Our customers recognise the quality in the brand.”
Martin Dunnett, trading director at Capespan, anticipates a tight grape market through to Christmas.
He told FPJ: “Parts of Brazil have suffered from heavy rains over the last three to four weeks and we have also got a situation where demand from the US is very strong, so that’s drawing in Brazilian and Peruvian supplies.
“Also, there are very few southern hemisphere volumes around and retailers are asking for airfreighted grapes from South Africa in serious volumes - obviously, that will have a knock-on effect on seafreighted grapes.”
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