The situation on the grape market is unusual, to say the least. "There are significantly lower volumes than last year. Prices are at an excellent level, too," says Eddy Kreukniet of Exsa Europe. "Added to this, the entire fruit range is fairly limited and expensive throughout this trade sector. There is also not too much [...]
South African growers have added just under 25,000ha of citrus groves over the past decade. The South African citrus industry has grown so much during the past decade that even though navels have decreased as a percentage of the total citrus plantings, the amount of hectares under oranges has nonetheless increased. Oranges make up a [...]
Alcanar Verd Citrus i VIVERS and Stargrow Cultivar Development announced that they have recently concluded an agreement for the development of the citrus variety, Sando, in South Africa. Sando is a late maturing clementine mutation of Fina with outstanding fruit quality. It was development by Alcanar Verd Citrus i VIVERS in Taragonna in Spain and [...]
Insect experts from the Stellenbosch University Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology are part of a large-scale research project involving experts from 15 countries. It aims to develop the science and technology needed to better detect, prevent and manage Europe’s growing fruit fly problem. The project is made all the more urgent in light of [...]
A recent semi-annual USDA report showed that, in 2018/2019, the cultivation and export of, among others, South African easy-peelers, is expected to rise significantly. This report is based on preliminary figures. This increase is a result of the acreage that was being expanded and is now in full production. This trend is not only occurring [...]
South Africa has packed 126 million cartons of citrus fruit for export to countries around the world this year, and remains the second largest global exporter of citrus fruit. Despite events beyond the grower’s control, such as drought and container terminal delays, the industry continues to bring R20 billion rand into the country as export [...]
Maximum residue limits (MRL) are a globally accepted tool in the food safety basket. It offers consumers a guarantee that fresh produce is safe for human consumption. The traces of pesticide found on treated products are called residues, and MRLs, which may differ per country, set the highest legally tolerated level for these residues. Adhering [...]
While few traders wish to go on record, many agree: it’s been a memorably bad season for South African citrus in Russia – even “horrific”, in the opinion of an experienced trader. Ironically, the season started off well when South African Satsumas met a market short on soft citrus during the hemispheric transition period. Receivers [...]
In its bi-annual awards to innovators and leaders in the plastic recycling industry, the South African Plastics Recycling Organisation (SAPRO) named PalletPlast the overall winner in recognition of the fruit pallets the company has been manufacturing for less than a year (following years of research). The fruit pallets are manufactured from recycled PET, incorporating a [...]
The table grape harvest has kicked off in the Orange River with both white and red seedless varieties. This area produces approximately a third of South Africa's grapes. Their season seems between five and seven days ahead of the usual schedule and the region's cooler weather is aiding colour development, the South African Table Grape [...]
