The Southern African table grape campaign begins as the region targets shipments of around 80mn cartons
The new Southern African table grape export season has started and the first containers to Europe are expected to leave Cape Town this weekend.
Logistics service providers have said that the first grapes have been packed in the early vineyards of Aussenkehr, on the northern banks of the Orange River in southern Namibia.
The first early white varieties from Noordoewer on the South African side of the river have also been packed.
It is expected that much of the early grapes will end up in the South African local market, but by next week the season will further be ramped up.
Both Namibia and the South African regions along the Orange River expect good crops, with early indications placing the harvest on more or less the same level as last year.
Direct shipments from the port of Walvisbaai in Namibia are expected to start from mid-November.
This port has played an important role over the past two years in relieving pressure at the port of Cape Town, where delays have been experienced.
From almost the outset of the season, growers and exporters will this year have the option of shipping through three Southern African ports – Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Walvisbaai.
In this way they hope that last season’s pressure on Cape Town will be alleviated.
Logistics service providers have said that shipping through Cape Town is preferable from a cost point of view, but that they simply have to keep all options open.
Between Namibia and South Africa the region is expected to ship some 80mn cartons of grapes this season.
Last year around 80 per cent of the South African harvest ended up in Europe and the UK.
With the war in the Middle East unresolved, exporters are expected to choose safe options, and that is why they are paying so much attention to retaining market share in Europe and the UK.
