The South African table grape sector has confirmed it is selling more to markets in mainland Europe as a result of the increased relative strength of the euro against the rand, according to industry organisation SATI, the unified South African Table Grape Industry Partnership.
The group reported that large volumes of grapes had been shipped to continental EU, with volumes 10 per cent higher than in 2008, while exports to the UK market have fallen by 13 per cent on the previous year in volume terms.
According to SATI, prices remain stable at similar levels to last year.
Elsewhere, markets in the Far East and Middle East have both taken marginally higher volumes of South Africa grapes this season compared with previous years as a result of fairly strong demand and stabilising prices, SATI said.
The country's overall seasonal estimate remains unchanged at 47m-49m (4.5kg) cartons.
Packing in South Africa's Northern Province, as well as in the Orange River and Oliphants River regions, has ended for the season. In the Orange River, packers finished with a total volume of 15.2m equivalent cartons, while in the Oliphants River final volumes packed stood at 1.57m cartons at the end of week nine.
In the Berg River region, producers are almost finished packing in Piketberg, but in the Paarl area they are still packing Bonheur, Red Globe and Crimson and are expected to be finished by the end of next week.
Crimson Seedless, Autumn Royal and Red Globe are in full harvest in the Hex River Valley, where harvesting of Barlinka and Dauphine has also started. According to SATI, the quality is still good and it is expected that the Barlinka and Dauphine harvest will be lighter than normal due to a lack of bunch mass as well as smaller berry sizes.
Hex River's final volume is still expected to be between 16m and 17.5m cartons.
Meanwhile, SATI has appointed Johan van Niekerk, managing director of South African grower-exporter Alternafruit, as its chairman.
Mr van Niekerk, who replaces Graham Retief, has served as vice-chairman of the organisation for the past four years and is also a member of the executive committee.
'SATI would like to thank Graham for his tireless and valuable contribution to ensuring the success of SAT and SATI,' said a spokesperson for the organisation.
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