"After a very hot period where temperatures reached as much as 46° in the shade, last month we were hit by extreme rainfall. More rain fell in one month than we have seen in the last 50 years," explains Joubert. He goes on to say that some exporters continued to send grapes to Europe even though the quality was not good enough and many of those shipments were refused.
The Argentinian grape season has been a challenge from the beginning. A lot of exporters were set to export volumes to Brazil, but then Brazil suddenly changed the entry requirements which led to an import ban. Growers did not anticipate the shortage on the European market in time and many grapes have been sent for juicing and to the raisin market.
For exporters who were successful on the EU market prices have been good. Joubert said his last shipment arrived in week 8 and were fetching 18 Euro for a 8.2 kg box, compared to last year's 12 Euro.
Joubert who exports to Europe, Russia, Asia, Middle East and Canada is also targeting new markets. He exported to Bolivia for the first time this season and found good prices. On this market 20kg boxes of loose grapes are preferred as it is a more informal trade where the fruit goes on to be sold on markets as opposed to retailers.
"There are a lot of unexplored markets in the world and although Europe will remain important many exporters are moving towards cutting out the middleman and selling direct," says Joubert.
Sudfruit will be opening their new Dutch office in 3 weeks time in Barendrecht to enable them to receive fruit in Europe themselves.
For more information:
Jacques Joubert
Sudfruit
Email: sudfruit@sudfruit.com