© HNP MarketingA large stored grape crop in the United States has delayed Peru's grape exports (saddled with a 10% US duty) to the United States, although American interest in Peruvian grapes is kindling.
Brazil, with its 50% duty on the U.S., is loading more volumes to Europe and the UK than before, observes Gert Smit, the marketing director at HNP Marketing, a table grape and citrus grower-exporter in Limpopo Province, the earliest district in South Africa to harvest grapes, contemporaneous with Namibia. He reports that Spain, Italy, and Greece had their season curtailed by rain, and the quality of the last fruit, mostly white grapes, is not of the highest quality.
"The new American duties don't affect us directly, but definitely in an indirect manner. We are already exporting. We had a very good mild winter and springtime, which meant an ideal climate for flowering and fruit set. The volumes on all cultivars are looking very good," he says.
© HNP Marketing First white and red grapes were packed this week (week 45)
The vineyards are looking good, and they're seeing large berry sizes.
"We packed our first white grapes this week, and we're focusing on retail programmes with them. Initially, we thought we'd start last week (week 44) already, but the heavier crop delayed us by a week. Our prediction on the market for white grapes in Europe is that there'll be sufficient volumes, but we won't necessarily reach last year's price levels."
He remarks that they're really hoping for good quality in the market, supporting the flow of sales of the first South African grapes.
The first red Starlight was packed this week as well, mostly for domestic sales. He says they're expecting a better market for red grapes because volumes will be lower, specifically those from Peru, and with Europe ending earlier on red grapes.
Large volumes of red will be packed in their area from next week (week 46), allowing for mixed red/white punnets, a focus for HNP Marketing. "There's a very strong pull for mixed punnets from the European market. It packs a bit slower, of course, but it adds good value back on the farm. We're very positive about the season based on the quality and the volumes we observe in the vineyard. We expect challenges," he remarks, "but logistics appear to have improved with hard work being done to improve on the previous season to move stock."
© HNP Marketing
For more information:
Gert Smit
HNP Marketing
Email: [email protected]
www.hnpieterse.com
