Orange River grapes 'best in three years'

This year’s harvest from South Africa’s main early grape growing region along the Orange River has exceeded expectations despite some climatic challenges.

The final export figure from the region is expected to reach 16.8m cartons, edging ahead of the bumper crop during 2009-2010 when 16.7m cartons were packed for the export market.

“The growers along the Orange River had an excellent season and losses due to rain and hail were isolated and few and far between,” said Piet du Plessis, Chairman of local grower’s association, ORPA.

‘We needed this harvest after last year’s problems with rain and flooding and this will lift the spirits in this region,” said Mr Du Plessis.

He singled out the excellent colour of red seedless grapes and growth in the production of the white seedless variety, Prime, and the black seedless cultivar, Midnight Beauty, as the highlights of the season.

At the end of week six South Africa had exported 36.5m cartons of what is expected to be a 50m-carton crop. The Northern regions also exceeded the seasonal estimate with more than 4m cartons packed, while the Olifants River was approaching its estimate of 2.2m cartons and was well on the way to also record its best crop in three years.

At the end of week six supply patterns also differed considerably from last year, with both the UK and Northern Europe receiving higher volumes than last year. Up to week six 8.8m cartons were shipped to the UK compared to 6.7m cartons at the same time last year.

Northern Europe received nearly 20m cartons compared to 15.8m last year. The Middle and Far East both received fewer grapes than at the same time last year. Observers say the early Chinese New Year period resulted in less early season supplies.

With the Paarl and Hex River region now in full production growers are concerned about reports demand in traditional markets has been slowing down as a result of the economic down-turn. Exporters say the market has been holding up well until the end of January but demand has slowed during the past two weeks.