The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) has estimated that the country will ship up to three million fewer cartons than originally predicted.
Figures released for the 2008-09 season show a revised forecast of 46 million cartons, down from a projected 49m 4.5kg packs.
Notwithstanding this reduction in overall volumes, total shipments to date are on a par with the previous season, with more product destined for mainland Europe and less for the UK. However, SATI claims that the UK market is strengthening, which might attract product originally destined for the continent.
In a release from its newsletter, SATI said: “Prices are currently stable and as carry-over stocks from various countries are depleted, there is an expectation of further price stability and even a strengthening of prices.
“It also appears that the global economic crisis is playing second fiddle to normal supply and demand realities.”
Provincially seasons varied, with good weather conditions in the north providing good-quality fruit. The Orange River region was down 10 per cent on original forecasts for Thompson seedless and the Oliphants River was hit by cool temperatures affecting Thompson and Sunred grapes, with late ripening in the Berg River region due to a heatwave.
Shipping volumes twice hit a high of 4m cartons exported in January and February, with white seedless dominating.
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