The Middle East almost equal to last year as is Asia, exports to other markets still have a bit of catching up to do.
Joseph Lombardt from South African Table Grape Industry, said that shipments were affected by the wind in January and the harvest by rain and hail. "This mainly affected the early varieties, and things are looking much better now as there has been a dramatic change in the weather. Volumes will be down on estimates but not by too much."
Packing in northern regions is slowing down as the harvest ends, quality is said to be very good. In the Berg River Region where early varieties were affected by the rain and hail, harvest is now at full tempo with mid-season varieties and quality according to SATGI is good. Varieties being packed are Dan Ben Hannah, Waltham Cross, Crimson Seedless, Redglobe and Autumn Royal.
Meanwhile in the Hex River Valley large volumes of Alphonse Lavallée, Autumn Royal, Crimson Seedless, Dan Ben, Hannah, Sugrathirteen, Sugrasixteen, Regal Seedless, Redglobe, La Rochelle and Sunred Seedless are being packed. Reports are that colour development on red and black varieties is very good. Packing tempos have returned to normal and the quality is very good.