South Africa: Weather conditions provide high quality grapes
conditions. In the Northern Province Region only 3 producers are still packing low volumes of Red Globe and high volumes of Crimson Seedless until Week 7.
Good quality Crimson Seedless and Red Globe are also being packed in the Orange River Region, and the 4th of February is likely to be the last day of packing in this region. In the Olifants River Region the Autumn Royal variety is being packed in addition to the previously mentioned varieties, yields are higher per
hectare than last season.
Meanwhile in the Berg River Region mild and dry weather conditions, which are perfect for packing, have led to improved packing tempo following the problems experienced during the heat wave recently. The quality of the fruit is excellent as this region approaches the big packing weeks and the cultivars being packed are, amongst others, Victoria, Dan Ben Hannah, Regal Seedless, Red Globe and Sunred Seedless.
In the Hex River Valley Region variable climatic conditions led to slow accumulation of sugars for some varieties, the packing tempo in this region remains below average. The main varieties being packed at this stage are Sugrasixteen, Regal Seedless and
Thompson Seedless, with a few farms ready with their Crimson Seedless,
Autumn Royal and Red Globe.