Growers are positive about the crop for the 2024/2025 export season. Early indications are that overall volumes will increase compared to last year. This comes after a challenging 2023/2024 season that included extreme weather events (storms, fog, strong winds in the Port of Cape Town) and continued logistical disruptions at the port.
Weather impact and recovery
This past winter brought much-needed rainfall, filling irrigation dams. However, a long, cold, wet spring impacted flowering and fruit set in certain areas. In early October specific parts of the Western Cape were hit by sleet, hail and frost, with early nectarine and peach varieties most affected.
Hectare trends and varietal developments
Total nectarine hectares continue to expand, with a +2% y-o-y increase, especially in higher-yielding varieties. Peach hectares are on a downward trend, with both cling and dessert peaches decreasing by 8% and 10% year-on-year. Total hectares for plums have stabilized and hectares planted (over the past five to six years) are now coming into production contributing to an increase in exports, estimated to be above the two-year average.
Logistical considerations
Although we believe that we have reached the turning point of the logistical crisis, specifically in the Port of Cape Town, we foresee another challenging season from a logistical point of view. Growers, exporters and logistical service providers will have to make use of alternative modes of shipping to alleviate the pressure at the CT Container Terminal. Although more costly, this will ensure timeous shipping and quality fruit upon arrival, thereby fulfilling the servicing of clients and programmes.
Transnet has started implementing the strategic replacement and refurbishment of equipment and machinery at the Port of Cape Town, contracting maintenance and related services, and the appointment of additional staff. Some productivity improvements are therefore anticipated but we need to prepare for challenges such as downtime on equipment and wind delays.
As collective fruit industries, we continue to work closely with the management of the Port of Cape Town and will do everything within our reach to ensure a smooth logistical operation. The weekly engagement between Transnet management and the industry including logistics service providers and shipping companies will continue.
Initial stone fruit export estimates:
Apricots: Projected to increase by 9%, with an estimated crop of 523,000 cartons (4.75 kg equivalent).
Peaches: Expected to decline slightly by 1%, with a crop of 1.85 million cartons (2.5 kg).
Nectarines: Although the total forecast is to rise by 4%, reaching 9.12 million cartons (2.5 kg), driven by high-yielding varieties coming into production, early nectarines have been affected negatively by the weather. Early varieties are set to be down 8% compared to the previous season.
Plums: Projected to grow by 12%, with exports reaching 13.7 million cartons (5.25 kg), a recovery in export volumes due to more favourable weather conditions comparable to the previous two seasons.
For more information:
Hortgro
Tel: +27 (0)21 870 2900
Email: [email protected]
www.hortgro.co.za