The Namibian grape season is underway on schedule, and Capespan UK managing director Ronan Lennon is bullish, predicting good volumes and excellent quality. More of the country’s crop will feature in Capespan’s premium Gold brand.
Lennon has just returned from Aussenkehr , and said: “The season looks very promising. Quality is good, the berries are large, well coloured and sweet. Grapes are being harvested from award-winning vine blocks, so I am confident that this fruit will have a positive impact when it arrives on the pre-Christmas UK market.
“In fact quality is so good that part of the crop will be packed under the top-of-the-range Capespan Gold brand.”
Capespan accounts for 50 per cent of Namibian grape exports, having invested heavily in the country through its farm development and ownership company Rapiprop.
Namibia is fast developing into a key component of the southern African grape season. It is an early area, with production of principal varieties Thompson, Prime and Flame Seedless. Importantly, Namibia is a ‘winter rainfall’ area, so rain does not adversely impact sensitive fruit as it matures on the vines. This allows Namibian growers to produce consistent quality fruit, as the risk of mould is far reduced.
