Table Grape News
Despite hail storms South Africa
predicts good season
F
ollowing the hail storms
which occurred in the Orange River Region and in
the Saron/Halfmanshof area
(part of the Berg River Region) last
Monday, SATGI estimated losses in
the Orange River Region of approximately 1 million 4.5 kg equivalent
cartons. The volume affected in the
Saron/Halfmanshof area is approximately 1.2 million 4.5kg equivalent
cartons. It should however be noted
that the final impact of hail damage
will only be known once all product
has been packed.
The vines were in the early growth
phase, with the early varieties being
at ±10 days prior to flowering,
whilst the late varieties are ±4
weeks prior to flowering. Shoot
lengths vary from 15cm (late varieties) to 40cm (early varieties). The
normal start of the harvest period in
this specific area is approximately
Week 51/52.
The whole affected area covers approximately 600 ha in Saron/
Halfmanshof. Although the hail
damage differs from farm to farm,
early assessments indicate that up
to 1,200 000 million equivalent cartons were lost out of the ±2 500
000 million equivalent cartons
packed annually in this area (almost
50% of production).
It should however be noted that the
final impact of hail damage is only
known once all product has been
packed, as the visual damage on
the vine differs considerably from
the visual damage seen at maturity.
Since this damage occurred prior to
flowering, the small whole bunches
that still looks fine now, may be lost
in the next few weeks as a result of
the stress the vine has now been
exposed to (whole shoots were
knocked off some vines).
The South African table grape industry anticipates a good 2014/15
packing season. In general, bud
break and vine development were
excellent over the last couple of
months in all areas due to good
chilling accumulation in winter. The
excellent winter conditions also
bode well for a good crop volume
and quality for the season ahead.
Publication date: 10/6/2014
Author: Nichola Watson
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com