First arrivals of South African Early Sweet white seedless grapes are expected on the UK market within the next few days as the variety embarks on its first commercial season.
“First fruit was picked between November 10 and 14 and shipped later that week,” said Peter Allderman, agent for the variety at Topfruit (Pty) Ltd. The first ship has some 1,440 cartons from the Northern Province on board and will swiftly be followed up with two more vessels. Of 15,000 cartons shipping this season, 14,000 are destined for the UK.
“We are very excited about the variety,” said Allderman. “We have had a good spring, with fine growing conditions and some rain. Fruit in the Northern Province is grown under nets to protect it from hail and even some of the growers in Orange River are using nets now too.”
Volumes are up considerably on last season’s trial shipment of just under 1,000 cartons and are expected to continue to grow. “In six or seven years, we hope to have 600-700ha in the ground,” said Allderman. “There are a lot of vines that are going into all areas from Northern Province, Orange River, Trawal, Halfmanshof, Berg River and Hex River Valley so we hope to get as wide a picking window as possible.”
There are several advantages to the variety both for growers and marketers. Typically it comes on stream seven days earlier than any other white seedless variety, allowing for seasonal variation.
“For an early-season variety it is also extremely productive and grower-friendly,” said Allderman. Early Sweet also has good storage characteristics and eats well with the flesh and skin holding together. Early and good sugars are typical of this variety.
