The severe weather in the Western Cape, South Africa last weekend, has caused severe damage to fruit and orchards. As much as 200mm rain fell, this was accompanied by hail.According to Hortgro, an organisation which supports the top and stone fruit sectors, some orchards are very wet and an in depth investigation is not possible yet. "Some farms in the Witzenberg valley area of Ceres have lost 90% of their crop, while less damage is estimated in other areas such as Warm Bokkeveld and parts of the Little Karoo," said a spokesman.
Apples and pears were mainly affected as they make up the majority of planted hectares in the Ceres area. Apricots, especially Supergold and Palsteyn, plums and early varieties of nectarines and peaches as well as cherries were also affected. At this stage it is difficult to establish the damage caused to stone fruit.
The impact on total production in the Ceres area (including Ceres, Warm Bokkeveld, Koue Bokkeveld, Witzenberg and Prince Alfred Hamlet) is estimated around 7.8 million eqv cartons. An export loss of approximately 4 millions eqv cartons is estimated at this stage, split 60:40 between apples and pears. Based on last season’s actual apple and pear production and prices realised a loss of between 300 and 400 million rand can be linked to this volume.