ASSOCIATIONS
SATI releases 2nd crop estimate for 2020 / 2021
By the South African Table Grape Industry ( SATI )
The South African Table Grape Industry ( SATI ) released the Second Crop Estimate for the 2020 / 2021 season with intake volumes lowered to between 61.7 million and 67.1 million cartons ( 4.5kg equivalent ).
The decrease was brought about by the effect of rain in week 1 in the Orange River region . This region is now expected to pack between 15.0 and 16.0 million cartons . The mid to late cultivars in the Orange River , namely Autumn Crisp , Arra 15 , Sweet Globe , Scarlotta , Sugar Crisp , Crimson Seedless and Red Globe will still be packed with great care and focus on quality .
The geographical diversity of South Africa ’ s five production regions is once again demonstrated with the mid to late Olifants River , Berg River and Hex River regions in the Western Cape expected to make up for the volumes lost .
In these regions the quality is excellent , and the weather forecast for the foreseeable future is equally promising . The earlier Northern Provinces region started about 2 weeks late but is expected to reach the upper level of the first crop estimate , while they report good quality and berry sizes .
SATI
Table 1 : Second Crop Estimate for 2020 / 2021 season ( million 4.5 kg equivalent cartons ).
The updated second estimate , in the table below , was reached by considering the best available information , experience and observations , the latest industry vine census and historical data .
Crop estimates are done in cooperation with growers and industry experts representing all production regions . This forum is used by SATI to be more responsive to in-season developments and deviations .
The Olifants River region , with its packing window predominantly between that of the Orange River Region and the mid-to-late Berg and Hex River regions , reported very good quality and berry sizes .
The estimate of the Olifants River region has been raised to a low of 3.7 million and a high of 4.0 million cartons . The Berg River region , the third biggest production region in South Africa , reported equally good quality grapes with very decent berry sizes . The estimate for this region remains unchanged .
The quality of grapes in the Hex River region also looks very promising . The estimate has been changed with the upper limit increased to 23 million cartons , while the lower end remains unchanged at 20 million cartons .
Producers and exporters are confident that all market commitments
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will be serviced with a very good product . According to new SATI Chairman , Anton Viljoen Jnr , producers will continue to focus on selecting , preparing and packing the best quality table grapes with great eating quality from South Africa to send to its discerning world markets . CLA
20 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • March / April 2021