South African apple, pear and table grape harvest stable
Measured in hectares, top fruit is the largest sub-sector of the South African fruit. Total acreage in 2013 amounted to 78,968 hectares. Apples, pears and grapes make up about 77 percent of total stonefruit acreage.
The Western Cape is the largest production area of this fruit. The area has an almost Mediterranean climate and is therefore well-suited for apples and pears. In other regions, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Limpopo, acreage has grown significantly over the last twenty years. In the ranking of countries in the southern hemisphere, South Africa ranks fourth in the production of apples and second with that of pears.
Apples
This year, apple volumes grow with two percent to 900,000 MT. The estimate is based on the good growing conditions in 2013 and more trees coming into production. Acreage is growing by 1.2 percent.
Last year, 882,413 MT of apples were harvested, up 8.5 percent from 2012. This was the largest crop since 2003. The Western Cape is responsible for 90 percent of the apple production and export. The harvest begins in late January and lasts until June, with a peak between February and April.
The acreage grows to 22,700 hectares. Costs rising faster than inflation had a negative impact on the acreage’s increase. Among other things, the production increased by twenty percent. Since 2008, the acreage has grown steadily from a small 21,000 hectares.
The South African consumption of apples is expected to grow, as part of the crop that has been damaged by hail in November 2013, will be sold on the domestic market. The industry has launched a campaign to promote 'ugly fruit'.
Pears
The pear volume is up by 1.5 percent, reaching 398,000 MT. Here, too, the increase is due to the good conditions in 2013, and an increase of acreage of 1.4 percent. The harvest in 2013 grew by 8.6 percent to 391,952 MT.
The main growing areas in South Africa are located in the Western and Eastern Cape. The Western Cape is responsible for 79 percent of total pear production. The harvest begins in December and lasts through January. After a slight dip in acreage in 2010, barely 11,400 hectares, the area has grown to 12,200 hectares. For pears, the production increased, which may explain the small growth.
Table grapes
The volume of grapes this year shows a slight growth, an expected 0.3 percent, to 300,000 MT. The forecast is based on a small acreage growth of one percent, as well as the growth conditions in 2013. This small increase is due to higher production costs. Since 2010, annual cost went up eight percent.
In the course of 2013, grape volumes grew by 4.8 percent to 299,164 MT, the largest volume since 2001. The main production regions are Western Cape and Northern Cape. The harvest lasts from October to May. The main varieties are Crimson Seedless, Thomson Seedless, Prime and Flame. Since 2008, the acreage for seedless varieties has grown at the expense of those of grapes with seeds.