South Africa's 2025 table grape season continued to build momentum by Week 46, with packing underway in the Northern Provinces and the Orange River. Although overall export volumes remained below last year's levels, packing volumes were higher. By Week 46, 958,421 cartons had been inspected for export, a 24 per cent increase compared with the same period last year, while 29,320 cartons had been exported, which was 80 per cent lower year on year.
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All production regions reported that it was still early in the season but maintained their crop estimates, noting that favourable conditions could support meeting or surpassing initial forecasts. The national crop estimate remains 79.4 million cartons, 0.6 per cent higher than last season's actual export figure. Early Sweet®, Starlight, and Prime were the leading exported varieties, with most volumes bound for the EU. Early-season wind and fog caused 193 hours of delays at Cape Town Container Terminal during November's first three weeks, underscoring the need for improved wind-recovery processes.
National inspection volumes reached 958,420 cartons by Week 46, up from 770,225 last year. Prime, Starlight, and Early Sweet were the most packed varieties. Exports up to Week 46 totalled 29,320 cartons, compared with 143,024 in the same period last year. Most exported volumes moved on the Santa Teresa, with additional consignments sent via air freight. One Resilience and Hyundai Singapore were scheduled to sail in Week 47.
In the Northern Provinces, 900,790 cartons were packed by Week 46, a 45 per cent increase from last year. Vineyards were reported to be healthy, with volumes expected to be about 15 per cent higher than last season. Packing of Tawny Seedless and ARRA 29 was expected in Week 47. The Orange River region packed 57,630 cartons, 61 per cent less than last year, although vineyard conditions and berry development remained favourable. The Olifants River reported uneven budbreak earlier in the season but good flowering and healthy vines, with packing anticipated in three to four weeks. The Berg River and Hex River regions were preparing for harvest, with good vine growth and healthy bunch development.
Among Southern Hemisphere suppliers, Namibia had packed 978,529 cartons for export by Week 46, about 24 per cent less than last year. Chile was expected to start exports in Week 47, with a projected 6.9 per cent decline in its crop estimate. Peru's table grape estimate rose to 156 million cartons, with 29.2 million cartons exported by Week 46, about 6 per cent less than last year.
At Cape Town Container Terminal, 193 hours of weather delays were recorded in early November. New rubber-tyred gantry cranes were being deployed, and productivity reached 17 gross crane moves per hour in Week 46. Transnet emphasised improved equipment readiness, enhanced communication, and increased rail utilisation to support the deciduous fruit export season.
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