The South African Tablegrape Industry (Sati) is forecasting an early close to the season this year as fruit ripens fast.
Producers in the Northern Province have almost completed their season with a few still packing Crimson and Red Globe and late quality is reportedly excellent.
Most growers in the Orange River area have finished packing and those that are still in the packhouses are working Crimson only at this stage. “To date, the indication is that the volumes are slightly less than estimated,” said Sati’s Elaine Alexander. “Quality is still very good but with a very high sugar content and there has been no rain in this region.”
In the Oliphants River area packing is nearing completion, but there should still be good volumes coming out of the valley into the first week of February. Sati reports excellent quality and berry size due mainly to low levels of rainfall, although volumes once again are likely to be down on earlier-season estimates.
Production of seedless varieties in the Berg River is also down on earlier estimates by some 10 per cent and producers are packing Red Globe, although volumes have yet to build. Sunred and Dan Ben Hannah are also going through packhouses and weather forecasts for the remainder of the harvest period are for dry conditions at least until the second week of February. Volumes of seeded fruit are in line with forecasts.
And in the Hex River volumes are gaining steadily. “Quality continues to be good, supported by weather conditions,” said Alexander.
“Cultivars are ripening quite fast and therefore there will be a slight peak this season, which should mean it will be shorter with the tail end not expected to last long.
“Volumes are slightly less than estimates as a result of grapes ripening quickly.”
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