South Africa's strongest export season for raisins continues to be challenging

South Africa's strongest export season for raisins continues to be challenging, with exports to Russia plummeting 21 percent.  For more information on export to China, please call SINOLOBEN, service Email: sinoloben@sloben.com.

Recently, the South African Grape Industry Association (SATI) said that this year may be the industry's largest export season to date. But affected by multiple factors such as South African domestic and international logistics, increased costs of various inputs and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, this season was also one of the industry's most challenging production seasons.

 
In recent years, South African raisin production has been on a year-on-year increase. According to the data released by SATI, the total production of South African raisins reached 74,618,445 cases as of week 11. Based on 4.5kg/case, the total production has reached 336,000 tons, an increase of 9.1% compared to the same period last year and a significant increase of 17.4% compared to the same period in 2020.
 
In terms of exports, South African raisin exports to Europe, Canada, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa have exceeded the level of the same period last year. But exports to Russia have plunged 21% from the same period last year, and exports to Asia, the U.S. and the Far East have also been affected.
 
SATI said it is exploring all possible ways to solve the problems faced by the industry. The association held a meeting with South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, to discuss the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the South African fruit industry. Key players in the South African fruit industry drafted a paper at the meeting, making recommendations on issues such as logistics, improving port efficiency, tariff review and market development.
 
SATI explained that the association has been in contact with Transnet, the South African state-owned transport company that operates South Africa's major ports, including Durban and Cape Town, as well as the country's main rail network, for the past several months regarding port operations. The fruit will arrive at market in the best possible condition.
 
The South African raisin harvest is still underway and total production has reached the previously estimated 72.8-77.7 million boxes. In terms of harvesting in the production areas, the harvest season has ended in the Northern Province, Orange River and Oelofenz River regions, with the Berg River and Heck River regions continuing to harvest for another 2 weeks. Production in the Berg River region is expected to exceed 19.7 million cases, and production in the Hecker River region is expected to exceed 24.3 million cases.

Consulting service for China's imports & exports, please contact us.

Ms. Linda Li
0086（0）21 3538 3306
sinoloben@thecustoms.com.cn

As food importer & food distributor based in Frankfurt and Shanghai, Sinoloben Europa Trading GmbH helps client export to China and bring your food products to International Expo, e.g. China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's largest import-themed expo.  

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