The Western Cape is thrilled with the rain that has fallen over the past few days, particularly in the Klein-Karoo and the Overberg regions, with amounts upwards of 40mm for towns like Robertson, Riversdal, Heidelberg and even 80mm in Swellendam. The rain was widespread throughout the country, even resulting in mid-summer snow in the high-lying eastern parts of the country.
“Now we’re really excited about the season,” a trader tells FreshPlaza. Previously there was some concern about the impact of the drought on the late stonefruit harvest but this rain will doubtless alleviate some of the pressure due to the ongoing drought.
In conversation with those in the stonefruit industry, the excellent fruit set of the season is repeatedly mentioned. In fact, growers have paid particular attention to thinning out this season as one of their strategies to mitigate water constraints and coupled with this late rain, there is an expectation of very good sizing on stonefruit.
The rain isn’t ideal for the early cultivars, it does impact on early sugar development and hence on packing out percentage, but industry experts feel the rain is definitely going to add much value to later fruit. The now frequent practice of mulching will make the most of these past few days’ moisture.
Early volumes, a bit late, meet fairly empty market
The stonefruit season is a few days late in the Western Cape due to cooler temperatures. Nectarines started going out a month ago, the first volumes by air to the UK, followed by shipments around week 44, totalling just under 100,000 x 2.5 kg cartons by week 44 YTD. Of that number, roughly 80% had gone to the UK, followed by the Middle East and Europe.
As for peaches, by week 44 YTD, 111,500 cartons had been sent out, again primarily to the UK and the Middle East second.
Plum packing is only starting this week and apricots are picking up momentum.
The UK and European markets are fairly empty, and present a welcoming environment for South African stonefruit.
“Given our water situation, the outlook is really good. We have very good product this season and the upshot of the drought, was that it forced everyone to rethink their water use and cultivation practices. Exporting guidelines are being followed to the letter in order to protect South Africa’s market share in Europe,” an exporter says.