Latest news with #SouthAfricanTableGrapeIndustry
The South African
2 days ago
- Business
- The South African
SA breaks record for table grape exports, UK tops destination list
A record 77.8 million cartons of table grapes were exported from South Africa for the 2024/25 season, marking a 5% increase over the previous year. According to the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), demand remains robust across major international markets. The European Union accounted for the majority of exports at 58%, while the United Kingdom was the leading individual destination, taking 18% of the total volume. Notably, exports to North America – which includes the United States and Canada – rose by 25% year-on-year, reaching 7.4 million cartons. This surge contributed to a global export value of approximately USD $730 million for South African table grapes in 2024. 'The industry is encouraged by growing exports to the USA,' SATI chief exec Mecia Petersen told Fruitnet . 'We are closely monitoring developments regarding potential new tariffs that may impact the sector.' South Africa has exported fresh grapes to the US for over two decades. Those shipments have increased at an average rate of 19% per year over the last five years. In the 2024/25 season, trade with the US represented about 3% of total table grape exports. That's equivalent to 2.2 million 4.5kg cartons, or just under 10 000 tonnes. Petersen emphasised the sector's optimism about further growth in this market, and the importance of maintaining that market share. However, South African grapes currently face higher import tariffs in the US compared to other Southern Hemisphere suppliers, such as Peru and Chile, which export during the same off-season window. According to SATI, for South Africa to remain competitive, a careful mix of market consolidation and diversification will be required. 'Market access processes can take many years, and favourable market conditions are influenced by the tariffs South Africa may face in destinations compared to other exporting countries,' Petersen added. 'Finding alternative markets to absorb volumes currently shipped to the USA is not a desirable solution.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Zawya
07-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Table grape export boost: South Africa taps into the Philippines market
South Africa has secured market access to export fresh table grapes to the Philippines, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the country's agricultural sector, further boosting its economic growth. "The market was opened on 26 February 2025, so producers can start exporting table grapes to the Philippines. The negotiations for this market started on 20 January 2015 and took about 10 years to get market access," Steenhuisen said. Economic significance of table grapes The Minister highlighted South Africa's position as one of the top five global exporters of table grapes. He also underscored the vital role the industry plays in the country's economy, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings, employment generation, and agricultural growth. According to the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), approximately 55% of the country's table grape exports are destined for the European Union (EU), while 20% are sent to the United Kingdom (UK). During the 2022/23 season, a total of 63 million cartons of table grapes were exported, with the industry providing jobs to around 86 870 seasonal workers and 14,843 permanent employees. Boosting agricultural growth and empowerment Steenhuisen noted that the opening of the Philippines market will also advance the Department of Agriculture's empowerment initiatives, particularly in fostering participation by black farmers in international export markets. He also noted that expanding access to agricultural markets will drive increased production, boost exports, and enhance the sector's contribution to South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP). "Data released by Statistics South Africa shows that our economy expanded by 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, with agriculture being one of the sectors that primarily drove this growth with better performance in livestock, some field crops and fruits,' the Minister said. Compliance with export standards To ensure the successful exportation of fresh table grapes to the Philippines, the Minister said South African exporters must comply with the applicable phytosanitary and food safety standards, as outlined in the final phytosanitary import conditions for the export of fresh table grapes to the Philippines. The Minister urged interested exporters, including production units and packhouses, to register with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DALRRD) to obtain the necessary codes: a DALRRD production unit code and packhouse code. 'Growers of registered production units must implement good agricultural practices, which must include orchard sanitation, use of integrated pest management or adequate control measures, to ensure that the Philippines' identified quarantine pests of fresh table grapes are eliminated during the production period. 'It is pivotal that producers comply with the phytosanitary import conditions for the export of fresh table grapes from SA to the Philippines to safeguard this market as it took a very long time to negotiate and obtain market access,' Steenhuisen said. He said an announcement would be made when the first consignment is ready for loading. The final phytosanitary import conditions for the export of fresh table grapes from South Africa to the Philippines are obtainable from the DALRRD website All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
