South Africa's table grape industry took a beating during the past marketing season, with prices falling due to an oversupply on the local market. Although export market prices held firm, many producers opted to divert fruit to local markets because of high export costs and risks.
Gert Upton, senior manager for marketing and sales at Schoonbee Landgoed near Groblersdal, Limpopo, told Farmer's Weekly that many producers had suffered losses on the export market last year due to high shipping costs and delays at ports.
"Since shipping costs haven't come down, and uncertainty about port functionality remains, many grape blocks were prepared for the local market. But South Africa can only handle so much fruit, and as a result, prices dropped," he said.
This story is from the January 27, 2023 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
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This story is from the January 27, 2023 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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