Deciduous fruit is the largest sub-sector when measured in terms of hectares under plantation in South Africa. There are about 77,805 hectares of land carrying deciduous fruit in South Africa as reported in MY 2011 Hortgro Key Deciduous Fruit Statistics. Of the deciduous fruit grown about 33 percent are grapes (fresh and dried); the second most grown is apples at 29 percent; followed by pears at 15 percent; peaches (ten percent); plums (six percent); apricot (four percent) and nectarine (three percent).
The Western Cape is the traditional producer of deciduous fruit, however, in the past two decades; the Northern and Eastern Cape, and Limpopo provinces have become increasingly large producers of deciduous fruit. In terms of production ratings for Southern Hemisphere, South Africa ranks number four in apple production and number two in pear production.
Post expects domestic production of all deciduous fruits to remain fairly flat, as labor strikes and a weak Rand have affected investment in new vine plantings. However, the same currency issue has bolstered exports to Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and African markets, and is expected to continue through MY 2013. The increase in shipping cost by MERSK and SAFMarine did not negatively impact South African deciduous fruit exports in 2013.
The South African deciduous fruit industry has traditionally focused their marketing efforts on European markets, primarily the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany. But concerns over long-term weakened demand in Europe have forced the industry to focus greater attention on Middle Eastern and Asian markets.
