South Africa: Grape quality remains good despite heatwave

Conditions for the harvesting of grapes in South Africa is not ideal due to the heat but this is not affecting the quality which according to the South African grape industry newsletter from SATGI, is excellent. The total export at the end of week 1 was alomost 16,000,000 boxes.

In the Northern Province region Crimson Seedless and Redglobe are currently being packed. Meanwhile producers in the early parts of the Orange River region have finished packing for the season. FromRooipad to Kakamas the last Thompson Seedless, Redglobe and Crimson Seedless is beingpacked. Producers in this area should finish packing for the season by the end of Week 3. InKanoneiland the first Thompson Seedless was packed this week together with the lastSugrathirteen. The Groblershoop area should finish packing for the season by the end ofWeek 3 when the last Sugraone and Thompson Seedless will be packed. The quality from thisregion is still very good.

In the Olifants River Region the last of the Flame Seedless is being packed whilst the first Sunred Seedless, ThompsonSeedless and Crimson Seedless have also been packed this week. The quality is still very goodwith yields per hectare better than the previous season.

Most of the Prime and Flame Seedless from the Berg River region has been packed. Cultivars currentlybeing packed include Victoria, Dan ben Hannah, Sugrathirteen, Regal Seedless andSugrasixteen. The first Thompson Seedless will be harvested in Week 3 whilst the firstRedglobe is expected to be packed in Week 4. The quality is excellent.Hex River Valley RegionEarly season cultivars of good quality are currently being packed in this region. The sugaraccumulation is slower than expected due to heat wave conditions that were experiencedduring Week 2.