South Africa has been exporting fresh table grapes to the United States for over two decades, with an average annual growth rate of 19% over the last five years.

Joylene Van Wyk, the Media Liaison Officer for the country's Ministry of Agriculture, told Freshfruitportal.com that the table grape industry plays a significant role in the SA economy.

The industry estimates an output of 76.4 million cartons, with the upper limit expected at approximately 78.7 million cartons and the lower limit expected at approximately 74.1 million cartons.  

U.S. retailers are focused on table grape imports and fruit in cold storage as the local harvest period has come to an end.

Weeks ahead of the season’s first South African grape exports, South Africa’s table grape industry released a strong statement on Sept. 22. The indication is that its growers are ready for a much better season than the last.