Table grape prices in Europe have been low this season due to a glut of product on the market. But as Southern Hemisphere production winds down, South African growers with late-season varieties hope the market clears and gives them a window of time they can take advantage of before Northern Hemisphere supplies arrive.
“Prices in Europe are quite down right now because the market got flooded early in the season,” said Edrich Burger, Marketing manager at Don-Limon for South African Grapes. “But as everyone is clearing their warehouses, there will open up a gap for fresh varieties which I hope will sell well.” This is Burger's first year selling South African grapes, and aside from too much volume in Europe, he noted that quality has sometimes been lacking. He plans to take advantage of the late-season window by marketing SA grapes with colorful labeling on the 4.5-kilogram cartons in which the fruit is packed. He also hopes that this fields in the Hex River Valley provide a late-season advantage.
“This valley is the latest area in the production season of South Africa,” said Burger. “It's also very close to Capetown, which makes the logistics much easier.” The valley is about 150 kilometers north west of Cape Town, and it's one of the oldest table grape production areas in South Africa. The valley got its name from a local legend of a girl who haunts the valley. Today, the valley is cultivated by modern farmers using cutting-edge technology to ensure the finest quality of export grapes.
For more information:
Andreas Schindler
Don Limón GmbH
Tel: +49 40 3095499 45
aschindler@don-limon.de
www.don-limon.de