Quality remains high
South Africa grape export estimates fall
packing activities in the region will end in Week 5. The hot and dry conditions being experienced this season, has resulted in excellent quality grapes.
Orange River Region
All producers in the early parts up to the Rooipad area have finished packing for the season. From Rooipad to Kakamas the last Thompson Seedless is being packed. Small volumes of Redglobe and Crimson Seedless will be packed during Week 4 in Kakamas after which packing will end for the season. In Kanoneiland the last Thompson Seedless will be packed in Week 4, followed by small volumes of Redglobe and Crimson Seedless. The Groblershoop area should finish packing for the season by the end of Week 3. The quality of all the grapes from this region is still good.
Olifants River Region
Despite heat wave conditions during Week 3, almost no damage to crops was reported. Currently Redglobe, Crimson Seedless, Autumn Royal, Dan ben Hannah and La Rochelle are being packed. The quality is still very good and yields per hectare are also better than the previous season.
Berg River Region
Due to heat wave conditions experienced in Week 3, the packing tempo had dropped considerably as it was not possible to harvest throughout the day. All mid-season cultivars are currently being packed.
It is expected that better weather conditions in Week 4 will lead to the packing tempo returning to normal.
Hex River Valley Region
The region is packing early season cultivars of good quality. The sugar accumulation is slower than expected due to heat wave conditions that were experienced during Weeks 2 and 3. Heavy rain fall on the 18th and 19th January slowed the packing tempo and also caused damage to some vineyard blocks.
The industry crop estimate for this region had originally been set at 17.8 – 18.2 million cartons at the start of the season, but has now been adjusted to 17.3 - 17.7 million cartons for the 2011/2012 season.