Denene Erasmus, marketing development & communications manager at SATI told Freshfruitportal.com that all indications show a normal season ahead and that South Africa remains well positioned to supply the market with quality grapes.

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.

The industry expects a 12% increase in volumes inspected for export compared to the actual inspected volumes of the 2022-23 season.

Table grapes have long been a favorite fruit in China and consumers are eager to sample new varieties in novel shapes and colors that are sweeter and crisper than ever before.

The main reason for a further decrease in the national crop estimate is ascribed to lower yields packed in the Hex River Region to date, as well as lower yields expected for remaining cultivars in the region.

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.

A total of 77,7 million cartons were inspected and passed for export, according to a recently published SATI report.

In the 2021-22 table grape season, countries in the Southern Hemisphere achieved a new export record of 1.5 million tons, an increase of 0.3 million tons in a decade.

South Africa's table grape industry body also said that the increased supply of Peruvian and Chilean grapes remains a "threat" to the country's exports.