A review of South Africa's fruit export data until Week 52 reveals a decrease in inspected cartons for export, totaling 18.19 million, marking a 13.5% drop from the previous year.
Industry outlook
*Cartons expressed as 4.5 kg equivalent
- A total of 18.19 million cartons were inspected for export up until Week 52, which is 13.5% less than last year, mainly due to lower yields observed on some of the early varieties in certain parts of the Northern Provinces and Orange River regions.
- A total of 11.86 million cartons were exported up until Week 52, which is 20% more than the previous season to date.
- The national crop estimate remains at 76.4 million cartons inspected for export, an increase of about 1% compared with the actual inspected volumes in the 2023/2024 season.
- All five production regions are packing and while all regions experienced a later start to the season for early varieties, current data indicates that packing dates for mid- and late-season varieties are in line with the previous season.
- The top three exported varieties for Week 52 were Prime, Midnight Beauty, and Evans Delight.
Regional updates
*Cartons expressed as 4.5 kg equivalent
- Up to Week 52 the Northern Provinces Region packed 3.37 million cartons, which is about 15% less than the same time last year. The top 3 inspected varieties for Week 52 were Crimson Seedless (53,431 cartons), Sweet Celebratio (44,344 cartons), and Tawny Seedless (19,608 cartons). The region is currently also packing Autumncrisp and Red Globe and will soon start harvesting Scarlotta Seedless. Producers expect the harvest to conclude within the next 3 to 4 weeks. Rain is forecast for Week 02. To date, a good-quality harvest has been reported.
- Up to Week 52, the Orange River Region packed 13.78 million cartons, which is about 8% less than the same time last year. The top 3 inspected varieties for Week 52 were Sweet Celebration (484,611 cartons), Sweet Globe (374,445 cartons), and Timpson (293,281 cartons).
-Producers in the Onseepkans and Blouputs areas are now packing Sweet Globe, Sweet Celebration, Timco, ARRA15 (ARRA Sweeties), Timpson, and Sugar Crisp. These areas expect the harvest season to conclude in Week 02. The outlook for mid-season cultivars remains positive.
Southern Hemisphere insights
*Cartons expressed as 4.5 kg equivalent
- Namibia expects to export 9.3 million cartons in the 2024/2025 season. Up to Week 52, 8 million cartons were inspected for export, which is about 8% less than the same time last year. The top 3 inspected varieties for Week 52 were Jack's Salute, Sweet Globe, and Magenta.
Inspections for Week 52 consisted of:
- 54% White seedless
- 42% Red seedless
- 4% Black seedless - Chile expects to export 120 million cartons (about 66 million 8.2 kg cartons) this season. Up to Week 52, Chile exported 1.23 million cartons (673,249 8.2 kg cartons) which was about 67% less than this time last year due to a late start to the season.
Exports predominantly consisted of:
- 74% White seedless
- 25% Red seedless
- 1% Red Globe
To view the full report, click here.
For more information:
Jacques Ferreira
SATI
Tel: +27 (0) 21 863 0366
Email: [email protected]
www.satgi.co.za