David Brown from Hars & Hagebauer said the short supply from Brazil, due to increased domestic and US demand and climatic conditions meaning less volume, was the reason for the high prices before Christmas, "Then all at once there were large volumes from Peru, much more than most people expected, probably due to the sanctions from Russia, as less was being re-exported through Europe. This, in combination with the early large volumes of South African arrivals and lack of demand pushed prices way down."
According to SATGI (South African Table Grape Industry), to date one million more cartons have left South Africa for the UK compared to the same time last year.
The early varieties from South Africa such as Prime is not the most popular variety but later arrivals such as Early Sweet and Sugarone have been very well received.
Brown hopes the markets can get through the large South African volumes before Chile comes on the market and regains a steady demand.
For more information:
David Brown Hars & Hagebauer
Tel: 0044 1892 839148
Email: davidb@harshagebauer.co.uk