In the most recent South African Table Grape Industry trade report, the Director of Category Grapes at Delecta offered market analysis. The manager said South African grapes are performing extremely well. Positive comments have been received about supply and quality. Market demand is good. Good weather conditions that have been experienced up to now have helped produce the production of a high-quality crop. The volumes are growing well across the UK and EU and prices are showing an upward trend compared to the previous season while at the same time.
“Various macroeconomic elements are contributing to an improved market conditions, such as recent exchange rates, less shipping costs than this time last year, fewer products that comes from different markets is being sent into the EU and a later end of this Northern Hemisphere market.”
Closed Suez Canal is expected to have an impact on Indian volumes for the EU as well as the drought that is currently affecting California will likely lead to less Peruvian quantities towards the EU which will both present opportunities to South African grapes.
“Shipping times have improved having an average of eight days for loading compared to 14 days the year before. Other options like using regular vessels as well as shipping from Walvis Bay Port Elizabeth & Durban are helping to ease the strain on Cape Town Port, therefore which has resulted in less load times.”
South African Volumes & UpdateA total of 11,26 millions cartons (4,5 kilograms equivalent) was inspected prior to export from week 50. This is 16percent less than equivalent time of last year.
The total number of 573 million boxes (4.5 kg in weight) were shipped out until week 50. This is 34% less than the last season.
Five regions across the country are all packing. In the Hex River Region, packing began in week 50. Hex River Region started packing in week 50. The Berg River Region began in week 51, the Berg River Region in week 51.
The 3 most popular varieties exported during week 50 were Prime, Early Sweet & Tawny Seedless.
The Port of Cape Town is currently operating five additional RTGs but there’s no improvement on output. The productivity is still lower than what is required for maximum efficiency.
The port was faced with challenges over the past few days due to malfunctioning equipment and the sheer number of workers on site because of an issue with transporting staff.
Regional Updates
The grape quality of Northern Provinces. The grape quality in Northern Provinces is good. It is currently stocked with Tawny Seedless, Sweet Globe, Sweet Celebration, ARRA Sweeties(tm) and Crimson Seedless.
The Orange River Region is entering the peak of packing times (51 from 02). The varieties being packed in white comprise Ivory, Timpson, ARRA Sweeties(tm) and Surgraone. The red varieties that are currently packed comprise ARRA Passion Fire(tm), Flame, Sweet Celebration and Ralli. Black varieties being sold include Midnight, Sable Seedless and ARRA Mystic Bloom(tm). Market feedback up till now has been encouraging.
It is believed that the Olifants River Region is growing in pack, and it is focused on Early Sweet, Starlight, Flame, and Tawny. The general climate is pleasant without extreme heat and a favorable long-term outlook. The westerly winds bring cool evenings and early mornings. This helps in achieving good coloration of the grapes. Good overall health color, size, and colour have been observed.
The Hex River region’s harvest began seven days later than the previous year and is in line with the previous seasons norms (last season, the harvest started earlier). The Hex River Region began packing Starlight during week 50. It extended into week 51, and anticipates that it will begin packaging ARRA Passion Fire ™ during week 52. The weather has been pleasant up to now, with higher temperature during the day, and cooler evenings contributing to the colour and development of sugar. The possibility of rain over the next few days is also possible. The entire region is hopeful and anticipates a the high quality of its products that are associated in South Africa.
The Berg River Region began packing in week 51. The region is on track to the estimated 19,05 million cartons that are of good size and health-related reports. The development of colour and sugars are on track. The more areas will begin packing by week 52. We will concentrate upon Midnight as well as Sable Seedless.
Southern Hemisphere Perspectives
Namibia has packed 6,94 millions cartons (76 percent of estimated season) through week 50. The 3 most popular types that were packed during week 50 included ARRA Sweeties(tm) as well as ARRA Passion Fire(tm) and Timco.
Peru exported 32,5 million boxes white seedless, 17,3million cartons red seedless and 3,5 million boxes of black seedless through week 49. Exports to Peru’s Piura region are 9percent less and will be finished in the near future, while Ica’s exports are a week ahead of schedule.
Chile exported 2.4 million boxes white seedless, 226k boxes of red seedless, and 82k cartons with black seedsless until week 49.
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