The South African grape season is running late this season, David Brown from importer, Hars & Hagebauer in the UK, says that the grapes will be packed and loaded in week 46, he is expecting the first arrivals in the UK in week 49.The delay has been caused by early rain in South Africa, which stopped the sugar levels rising. David's suppliers prefer to wait until the fruit has reached the adequate brix before they harvest. Brix levels are.
The first arrivals will be Thompson seedless and David is expecting 2-3 containers a week at first, the Thompson's will be joined by Crimson and black seedless Sugra 13 and Sugra 16. The season arrivals running until mid February.
The UK market is looking promising at the moment, there is still some Brazilian grapes around, but according to David even the Brazilian grapes have been short this year. "The weather has been bad and also the domestic market in Brazil is becoming more and more attractive, demand is increasing from the Far East as well as from the US."
In the UK this resulted in lower volumes and higher prices. Prices at the moment are 16-18 Euro for 4.5kg and 20-22 Euro for 500g.
This is unlikely to change in the coming weeks explains David, "Even with arrivals from South Africa, the demand is growing and the delay in the South African season is helping the market.
For more information:
David Brown
Hars & Hagebauer
Tel: 0044 1892 839148
Email: davidb@harshagebauer.co.uk