Record pome fruit exports expected despite COVID-19 challenges

Notwithstanding hail damage in the Langkloof earlier this year and isolated wind damage in the Elgin, Grabouw, Villiersdorp and Vyeboom areas, a record apple and pear export season is expected, according to deciduous fruit governing body Hortgro.

This year, apple exports were expected to increase 4% to 38,17 million 12,5kg-equivalent cartons, while pear exports were expected to rise 6% to 17,75 million cartons.

Jacques du Preez, Hortgro’s general manager for trade and markets, said that favourable weather conditions had resulted in the good volume and quality of apples this season.

“We received good rainfall in the Western Cape last winter, and a cool spring and moderate summer temperatures have generally been good for the quality of the fruit, especially colour development on apples.”

Du Preez added that the expected increase in export volumes could also be attributed to young orchards coming into production.

He said, however, that although the COVID-19 pandemic remained a challenge for production, packaging and marketing, things were going well thus far.

“Producers still have sufficient workers to get the harvest from the trees to the packhouses, and manage their workers strictly according to prescribed protocols,” Du Preez said.

He added that demand for fruit from consumers was still high, despite lockdown regulations. He attributed this to healthconsciousness among consumers.

Shipping, especially on the routes to the Middle and Far East, was proving a major difficulty. “The shortage of containers is a global problem due to the high demand for dry goods and consumer goods driven mainly by online purchases. This has caused shipping costs for the goods to skyrocket and thus compete with refrigerated containers for space on ships,” Du Preez said.

Although containers were available in sufficient numbers worldwide, not enough made their way to South Africa.

“Chilled break-bulk ships are being looked at as an alternative shipping method, but it’s difficult due to their availability and the cost.” – Jeandré van der Walt

FW ARCHIVE Large volumes of high-quality apples are expected to head to export markets this season.