The first significant consignments of Orange River table grapes have been shipped from Cape Town and were due to arrive in the UK and European markets this weekend (12 December).
The harvest in South Africa’s Northern area, which will also mostly be shipped to the UK and Europe, are presently about 25 per cent completed.
Both the Orange River and the Northern regions are still on target to exceed last year’s record volumes. The Orange River is expected to contribute around 20 million cartons of South Africa’s total volume of more than 60m cartons for the first time, while the volume of the Northern regions will exceed five million cartons.
Piet du Plessis, chair of the Orange River Producer Association, says the early Orange River regions are boosted by bigger crops after hail caused damage last year. “The affected vineyards have come back with a great crop and we are very pleased with the quality,” he explains.
Petra Pieterse of leading grower and exporter HN Pieterse Farms at Groblersdal, says the early white grapes have been shipped and have so far been arriving in strong markets in the UK and Europe. “At this stage of the season most shipments are directed at Europe and the UK because returns in the Far East cannot match those in the traditional markets. Some expect our region to reach even six million cartons, but it may be a bit too optimistic,” he says.
“We could well pack in excess of 20m cartons for the first time this year,” says du Plessis. “The early South African offer from this region will continue to be dominated by Prime, Flame Seedless and Thompson Seedless.”
South African sources say prospects for their grape export crop at this time of the year are normally determined by four factors, namely market conditions, the size and quality of the harvest, the exchange rate and the weather. They say in terms of the first three it looks like a good season ahead, but you never know what the weather can do.
The exchange rate will certainly play a major role this year with the South African rand trading at levels never seen before. The weather has also played along, according to Pieterse and du Plessis. If this continues, the volume should be further boosted by grapes of exceptional quality.
Trade body South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) has stated that if the good prospects continue, the total crop can reach between 61m and 63m cartons. This will compare with last year’s exports of just over 58m. SATI’s Willem Bestbier says South Africa is now reaping the result of new plantings during the past two years. “Many growers have replaced older and underperforming vineyards as well as lower-bearing varieties with new ones that give them a higher yield per hectare.” After remaining around 50m cartons for the past five years or so, the newly founded growth started last year.
“With another rise expected, growth of nearly 20 per cent over the two years may well be achieved,” Bestbier adds.
