The grape market is currently hot. Brazilian grapes are selling at extremely high prices for the time of year. “The limited supply is in balance with the high shop prices now, but this will make it quite risky when Namibian and South African grapes start arriving. Experiences from previous years show that when supply is slightly larger, it becomes very difficult to encourage consumption, and it’s even impossible with a shop price of 2.99 euro per pound,” says Eddy Kreukniet from Exsa Europe.
Eddy has just returned from a visit to grape production regions in South Africa and Namibia. “All early regions, such as Namibia, Orange River and Mpumalanga are slightly delayed, and those grapes will now arrive seven to ten days later. The regions now coming into production have plenty of water available, and production prospects are good. The middle and late season won’t be good, in any case. Trawal, Piketberg, Paarl and Hex River have a serious water shortage. Availability will be much lower because of this, and the expected average size will be much smaller during the season.”
“Among our growers there are also those who have 15 to 20 per cent less production. Some growers are taking measures, by, for example, spending their water quote on better, new varieties and by ignoring part of their farm. Additionally, some growers start investing by drilling wells at the last minute, but that’s not just costly, it’s also risky,” Eddy continues. “We expect a number of new varieties, such as Sweet Sapphire, Sweet Globe and Sweet Celebration, to have a higher production this year, although it will be partly contained due to the water problems.”
Exsa Europe expects the first arrivals from both Namibia and South Africa on 29 November. “Until then, our Brazilian friends will have to save the day. They have had a decent season, price-wise, although the higher prices were necessary to maintain their average price because of the lower productions. The European season is as good as finished now. Some red and blue grapes are still on the market, but that volume is hardly worth mentioning.”
For more information:
Eddy Kreukniet
Exsa Europe
Tel: +31 88 735 0003
Mob: +31 620 25 78 11
info@exsaeurope.com
www.exsaeurope.com