Prices on the grape market have been at a consistently high level for a few weeks now. "I expect the good prices will continue for a while longer still," says Jan Rozema of Olympic Fruit. The importer currently receives grapes from Chile, South Africa and India, but expects there might be some shortage between week 18 and 22.
"The South African season has been rather surprising. Due to the drought, the expected 'bumper crop' has turned out a bit different. We're now getting the last grapes from the Hex River, mostly good Crimson seedless, but there again the harvest is 20 to 30% lower. The season will end a bit earlier though. From week 15 to 17, we'll get the last Crimson grapes, but after that it's really over. The quality and availability of African Delight and La Rochelle grapes from Hoekstra farms in Paarl are still good," Jan says.
Olympic Fruit already got the first Thompson grapes from Chile, and they're expecting the first Crimson grapes from there at the end of next week as well. "But due to the exchange rate, fewer and fewer Chilean grapes are coming to Europe. The United States are an interesting alternative for them," Jan says. "India is in the market with good volumes, but they will be gone sooner as well because of the early start. That's why there may be shortages here and there in a few weeks."
