Worldwide production of table grapes rising for the 4th consecutive year

World table grape production is forecast up 1.1 million tonnes to 27.3 million for a fourth straight year of growth, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Favorable growing conditions in China and Turkey more than offset losses in Chile and India. Chile’s production is projected to drop nearly 9% to 725,000 […]
USDA forecasts decline of apples coming into UK from South Africa

The UK’s reliance on apples from South Africa is likely to wane in the coming year because of inflation and other factors, according to a new world trade report on apples, pears and table grapes from the United States Department of Agriculture. The USDA says “shipping delays” combined with stagnation on investment because of increased […]
South African table grapes managed slight increases in production, exports in 21-22

The 2021-22 South African table grape season finished with marginal increases in both production and exports, despite numerous challenges. A total of 77.7 million cartons (4.5kg equivalent) were inspected and passed for export (intakes), a marginal increase of approximately 4 percent, in comparison to last season. Good weather conditions during the season as well as […]
John Pandol speaks out: ‘Volume is vanity. Profit is sanity’

We go back a long ways with the Pandols. When the Pundit was testing his eye teeth in the business, our family company used to split a Chilean shipper with the Pandols and Jack Pandol was the man my father called on to lecture this incipient Pundit when he was still in grade school about the UFW. […]
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 […]
South African table grape planted area to recover after three years

South Africa table grape planted area, production and exports are all forecast to increase in the marketing year 2021-22, according to a USDA report. The area planted to table grapes is forecast to grow by two percent to 20,900 hectares in the 2021-22 marketing year from 20,564 hectares last year. This comes from new orchards and […]
Sun World expands table grape footprint in Egypt, Italy

Sun World has recently granted six additional licenses to Egyptian table grape grower-marketers and two new Italian grower-marketers, bringing the total to seven and ten licenses, respectively. These appointments come as part of the company’s strategy to extend its reach in “high-potential gateway markets”. One of the primary motivations for this expansion is to satisfy […]
UK will have adequate supply of table grapes despite Chile weather

Amid the potential grape shortages given heavy rains in Chile, the UK doesn’t seem to expect to see a loss of supply nor rising prices at the same level that the United States may see. Currently, the UK is adequately supplied with fruit arriving mainly from South Africa, India and Chile, with tail-end volumes still […]