The early regions, Northern Provinces and Orange River have completed packing for the season. The Northern Provinces ended the season with its biggest crop on record.
Although the Orange River's figures are less than the initial crop estimate, due to some difficulties during the harvest, it still reached the second biggest crop on record. Both of these regions have sufficient water as summer rain fall areas and remain unaffected by the drought in the rest of the country.
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In Olifants River nearly all the producers in Vredendal are done packing with the rest of the region expected to complete packing this week (week 8). It is expected that this region will finish within the range set during the 4th crop estimate.
Berg River is expected to pack for another full week (week 9) whereafter it will slow down depending on the amount of available water. Producers are confident they will reach the lower limit of the 4th crop estimate.
While packing is continuing briskly in Hex River, Crimson might finish earlier this season with lower volumes due to the drought. The amount of available water is still a major challenge. Despite these difficult circumstances harvesting in this region is encouraging and progressing well.