The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) has released figures showing shipments were down 2.3% in week 7 compared to the same period in 2010.

The country's grape industry has suffered weather setbacks this season, but shipments in week 7 showed something closer to normality, following exports in weeks 5 and 6 that were down 25% and 9.9% respectively on last year's figures.

Shipments in week 7 were down 22% on week 6 to 2,511,835 cartons, with exports to all markets falling except those under the category 'Other Markets'. Exports to the U.K. and South East Asia fell significantly at rates of 32.4% and 85.7% respectively.

Week 7 exports took cumulative shipping for the season up to 31,209,673 cartons.

The report said most packhouses in the Oliphant's River region had finished packing for the season, with 'good quality' grapes despite 'problematic' color development for the Crimson Seedless variety.

SATI said the Berg River region was in its last quarter with good quality grapes and weather conditions, while in the Hex Valley region some early mid-season grapes were reaching the end of their packing window at peak volumes.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com