Table grapes exports expected to return to normal

The table grape harvest is expected to increase season on season.

- Glenneis Kriel

Table grape volumes inspected for exports are expected to increase by about 12% on last season, to between 75,2 million (4,5 kg) cartons on the upper end and 70,8 million cartons on the lower end, according to the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI).

AJ Griesel, CEO of SATI, said exports were negatively affected by unfavourable weather, particularly in the Orange River Region and Northern Region last season, with exports this season expected to align with the industry’s three-year average.

Exports are expected to increase from last season’s 16,4 million to 21 million cartons in the Orange River, from 5,6 million to 5,9 million cartons in the Northern Cape, and 3 million to 3,4 million cartons in the Olifants River.

The weather, although not ideal, had less of an impact on production in the Berg River and Hex River regions, so volumes there are expected to align with past volumes. In the Berg River, exports are expected to increase from 19 million to 19,1 million cartons, and from 21,2 million to 23,5 million cartons in the Hex River Valley.