South African table grape exports to UK down significantly since last year

The South African table grape industry has packed over 6 million more cartons year-on-year, but has shipped 5.2 million cartons fewer to international markets. The delays in the Port of Cape Town remain challenging, with the situation showing some improvement, although still too slow given the peak shipping weeks that are still ahead. Exports to […]

UK Growth Strong for South African Raisins

South African growers drive UK campaign to debunk myths on raisins

The South African raisin industry reports continued growth at the end of the 2021 season, despite climatic challenges. Regardless of limitations faced by the industry, export volumes of South African raisins to the UK are up once again vs 2020, which saw a huge increase compared to 2019. The UK imported 1,430,000 kg to the […]

South Africa Citrus Forecast Cut Due to Violence

South African citrus remains a success story despite ongoing CBS issues

South Africa’s 2021 citrus export forecast has been reduced following a period of violent unrest in the country, but the latest estimate remains above the 2020 figures as port operations return to normal. The estimate now stands at 156.2 million cartons across all categories, according to the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA). The […]

South Africa protests disrupt citrus exports

South African farmers have been hit by days of unrest and looting as trucks carrying produce are prevented from delivering to markets. The country’s citrus exports through the port of Durban have been halted after violence erupted in the KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng regions. Crowds have this week clashed with police and ransacked shopping malls, […]

South African stone fruit industry reports record volumes

Despite the challenges of the pandemic and having to ship rather than fly most of its stone fruit to the UK, Hortgro said South Africa had one of its most successful seasons in recent memory. This 2020-21 campaign saw increases across the board in exports, including a 29% boost in nectarines where the UK took […]

South Africa expects big pome fruit harvest, but shipping costs a concern

South African fruit group Hortgro says exports to UK will continue as planned

South Africa’s Hortgro says it is expecting a record apple and pear crop this season after “near-perfect growing conditions”. The “exceptional” harvests come despite challenges relating to the Covid-19 pandemic and a “few tough years of drought”, it said. Additionally, the expected record volumes come in spite of the Langkloof hail which in January removed […]

Mandarins fuel record South Africa forecasts for big citrus export year

Fresh Fruit Portal South Africa is expecting citrus exports in 2021 to set another consecutive record, driven in large part by late mandarins. The Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA) said estimates are for 158.7 million cartons for South Africa. The industry in 2020 exported 146 million, and 130 million in 2019, meaning that, […]