The shipments of table grapes from South Africa have fallen again this week. The cumulative shipping of 17.13 million cartons for week 2 of 2011 is down by 4.37 million compared to last year's season.
The biggest drop can be seen in shipments to the UK closely followed by Northern Europe. There is also a drop in exports to the Middle East while shipments to South East Asia have seen a considerable rise.
A few Crimson seedless are still being packed in the Northern Province and quality is good. In the Orange River region quality is still good and packing of Thompson seedless should finish in week 3, with small quantities of Redglobe and Crimson Seedless being packed until Week 5
Oliphant's River Region harvesting of Thompson Seedless is almost completed and it is expected that high volumes of Crimson Seedless will be packed from Week 4 whilst Autumn Royal will be ready for harvest towards the end of Week 4. The quality is good.
In Berg River Region a wide variety of cultivars are being packed in this region including Thompson Seedless, Alphonse Lavall|e, Regal Seedless and Sunred Seedless. Pack house volumes are lower than normal but in general the quality is good.
Hex Valley Region saw Regal Seedless, Victoria, Sugrasixteen and Ralli Seedless being packed during the last week the fruit was good quality. It is expected that Redglobe will be ready for harvest towards the end of Week 4 whilst Sunred Seedless and Crimson Seedless will be ready for harvest from Week 5.
Some mid-season varieties may be harvested later than normal, whilst others (e.g. Crimson Seedless) will be harvested up to 14 days earlier than normal.
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