“The table grape industry is changing rapidly, in all production areas”
At Indiana Import, the import grape season usually starts around mid-November with the products from Peru, and lasts until the end of April.
“This year, the transition between the Italian and Spanish seasons and the import grape was more smooth and without too much friction,” reports Diego Moeykens, manager of Indiana Import. “There were already fewer Spanish and Italian products available. Moreover, some European producers target the niche market which is looking for new seedless varieties. It is indeed the first time that we ve started the season with the Italian varieties being more expensive than our grapes. It is evident that the table grape industry is changing rapidly, in all areas of production.”
High hopes for the Hex River Crimson harvest
The heavy rain last week in the Northern Cape has reduced the estimate for the Orange River region by two to three million 4.5kg equivalent cartons, bringing down the total of table grape exports from South Africa for the 2020/21 season to between 61,7 and 67,1 million 4.5kg cartons, compared to 66,15 million cartons last season.
In the Orange River the crop is now expected to come to 15 to 16 million 4.5kg equivalent cartons.
New SATI chairperson Anton Viljoen Jr, taking over the role in November 2020 (photo supplied by SATI)
The ability of the South African table grape industry to absorb risk as a result of its geographical diversity is again demonstrated this year, the South African Table Grape Industry notes in its second crop estimate, as the mid to late season Olifants River, Berg River and Hex River regions in the Western Cape are expected to make up for the volumes lost.
Peruvian grape exports started season with 11% growth
January 06 , 2021
Peruvian table grape exports started off strong this year even though there has been continuing concern about the potential unrest in production areas, according to ADEX.
Data from the country’s Exporters’ Association shows that exports during October, the season’s opening month, rose by 11% year-on-year to US$80 million.
Table grapes were in third place for total agricultural exports from Peru, only surpassed by avocados and blueberries, data shows.
From January to October, shipments amounted to $546 million, presenting a growth of 23% year-on-year. The Ica region, which is the first producing region, led foreign grape sales totaling $324 million.
South African grape packing going well, with good berry sizes
The South African grape harvest is now well underway with three production regions now packing, namely the Northern Provinces, Orange River and Olifants River regions. The Berg and Hex River regions have not started packing yet. These two regions are also expected to start about a week later than last year. INTAKE UP TO Week 50 and EXPORTS UP TO WEEK 51 (accumulative) Intakes PPECB data - Exports AgriHub data
Northern Provinces
Packing is going well under good weather conditions. The quality of grapes are reported to be very good with very nice berry sizes achieved. They are done packing Prime, Early Sweet (Grapaes), Starlight, and Flame.
Supplies of grapes are still strong thanks to a combination of California supplies as well as imports.
“There are good supplies of California grapes through the end of this month and into January. I doubt we’ll have any by the end of January but this month we’ll still have plentiful supplies. It’s a normal timing for us to finish,” says Jim Beagle of Grapery based in Shafter, CA. He adds that the volume looks similar to last year at this time. “I was thinking all along it might be slightly down, but it looks like it’s going to come in pretty close to last year,” says Beagle.