Northern Europe sees biggest drop in South African grape imports

The South African grape season is drawing to a close. Exports up to week 8 to all destinations except Russia are still lagging behind the volumes of last year. Northern Europe has seen the biggest decrease with just over 2 million less cartons being shipped. Total exports are down by around 3 million cartons, this is according to latest statistics from SATGI.

The Northern Province Region and Orange River Region packing in the region is completed for the season. Meanwhile a few producers are still packing low volumes of Crimson Seedless, Autumn Royal and Redglobe in the Olifants River Region. It is expected that, due to the slow colour development of these varieties, packing in the region will be completed by Week 14.

In the Berg River Region packing in some areas has finished for the season. In the Paarl and Wellington area mostly Bonheur, La Rochelle, Waltham Cross and Dauphine is being packed. The quality is still good.

Redglobe, Autumn Royal and Crimson Seedless are the main varieties being packed in all areas of the Hex River Valley Region, with the first Barlinka and Dauphine expected from Week 11. Quality is still very good but the crop load is lower than expected. Weather conditions are favourable for the packing of good quality grapes.