South African table grape season poised for early start

This year’s South African table grape season is likely moving ahead of schedule. The sector forecasts 78.4 million boxes for export in 2026/27, with harvests potentially starting 10 to 14 days earlier than usual due to warmer temperatures.

Industry body SATI’s earlier estimates put shipments in the 76.8 million to 79.9 million boxes range. The latest midpoint forecast represents a 3.6 percent decline from the 81.3 million boxes exported during the 2025/26 cycle.

Image by Mufid Majnun via Unsplash.

The projection remains close to the industry’s five-year average of 77.5 million boxes. SATI cautioned that the estimate remains preliminary and could change as the season progresses and production and weather conditions develop.

South African table grape production takes a dip

The sector often grapples with water scarcity and other operational hurdles. However,  availability remains favorable in the main growing regions. Major dam levels averaged 82 percent of capacity in late September, compared with 85 percent at the same time in 2025.

South Africa’s table grape acreage also remained relatively flat. Planted area reached 48,022 acres in 2026, down by less than 0.5 percent from the previous year.

Image by Ignat Kushnarev via Unsplash.

Orange River is expected to post the largest year-on-year decline among the major South African table grape growing hubs. The region is set to ship an estimated 24.2 million boxes, an almost 10 percent drop compared with 26.8 million boxes inspected for export in 2025/26.

The Hex River Valley is forecast to produce 24.3 million boxes, steady volumes compared with last season’s 24.4 million boxes. The Berg River region is projected at 20 million boxes, up slightly from 20 million boxes in 2025/26.

The Northern Provinces are forecast at 5.7 million boxes, down slightly from 5.9 million, while the Olifants River region is expected to produce 4.1 million boxes, compared with 4.2 million last season.

*Main image by Rene Lehmkuhl via Unsplash.

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