Table grape season off to strong start in SA

According to the first crop estimate by the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), inspected export volumes are expected to increase by 0,6%, from 78,9 million (4,5kg equivalent) cartons to 79,4 million cartons. The lower and upper limits for the harvest are 77 million and 81,7 million cartons, respectively. This is 6,6% above the fiveyear average of 74,5 million cartons.

- Glenneis Kriel

Export volumes from the Olifants River are forecast to decline from 4,4 million to 3,7 million cartons, below the fiveyear average of 3,9 million cartons, due to a 5% reduction in the area under production. In the northern provinces, volumes are expected to increase from 4,8 million to 5,1 million cartons, although still below the five-year average of 6,2 million cartons, with a 14% decline in planted area cited as the main reason.

The Berg River region is projected to export 19,5 million cartons, slightly up from 19,4 million last season and above its five-year average of 19,2 million cartons. In the Hex River, volumes are expected to rise from 25,3 million to 25,5 million cartons, compared with a five-year average of 23,8 million cartons.