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Namibian grape season starts two weeks late

"A lot more merchandise should have arrived by now"

The campaign of overseas grapes from Namibia and South Africa is now ready to get going. "The first Namibian table grapes have now been loaded and will arrive in week 50, but this is a delay of 10 - 14 days," says Matthias Eggemann, joint managing director of the northern German trading company Fresh-Connection Fruchtimport LLC.

Due to the predominantly cool weather at the end of October and in November, the start of the season was delayed. These goods are missing in week 50 in the program that is on sale. Eggemann: "Normally, the season starts in mid-late November, around week 47-48. This means that, if everything went according to plan, more goods should have arrived from Namibia by now. Namibian goods are available, but I currently predict that the volume to be marketed around Christmas will be rather manageable."


View of the Namibian orchard / Image: Fresh-Connection.

Despite alarming media reports about the lack of freight capacity in these times of Corona, Eggemann says there is currently no question of that. "In the spring and summer, there had been problems with the shipment of fruit concentrates - our second business pillar, in addition to fruit imports. Later, during the South African citrus season on the other hand, we hardly felt the impact of the crisis on the freight situation."


Bright seedless grapes from Orange River (South Africa) / Image: Fresh-Connection.

Good starting position for grapes form overseas  
Despite the delay at the beginning of the season, Eggemann sees a normal to good starting position for overseas table grapes. The early varieties Flame Seedless and ARRA 13 (red) will start things off. as well as Prime Seedless, ARRA 30 and Early Sweet (white). "The Namibian season usually lasts until the end of January, and we also import South African table grapes, which are usually available until March." After that the goods from Argentina, Chile and India will start arriving.

According to Fresh Connection Fruchtimport, the overseas merchandise meets a roughly empty market, as the European grape campaign is in its final stage. "Spain is still present on the market, but Italy is almost finished," Eggemann said. In general, demand is expected to be high, within the retail sector. "The demand for fresh fruit and vegetables has increased during the pandemic. The consumer pays much attention to quality. In terms of quantity only could it perhaps be a little more exciting just before Christmas."


Red grapes from Namibia / Photo: Fresh-Connection

High value for overseas grapes
In the long term, the fruit importer notes that table grapes from overseas have gained a high status within the trade over the years. "The high-quality table grapes have found their place on the fruit shelves and have become an integral part of our diet. On the part of the consumer, the table grape is highly appreciated as a 'fresh snack'."

For more information:
Fresh-Connection Fruchtimport GmbH
Matthias Eggemann
Mercatorstrasse 21
21502 Geesthacht
Tel.: 0049 4152 90 68 055
Fax: 0049 4152 90 68 59
[email protected] 
www.fresh-connection.com 

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