TGC SEASONAL UPDATE WEEK 46 | 2018
LIMPOPO REGION
Production commenced week 44 with challenging weather conditions limiting volumes into week 45.
Current cooler nighttime temperatures are improving the colour of the fruit.
With temperatures moving into 30°C in the coming week sugars should accumulate faster.
Over the next two weeks volumes will increase on the following varieties:
Early Sweet | Prime Seedless | Starlight | Flame Seedless | Midnight Beauty
Sable Seedless will be moving into production from week 48.
Special attention went into the preparation of the newer varieties to ensure perfect bunches throughout.
ORANGE RIVER REGION
Compared to last season harvesting will commence one week (7-10 days) later due to weather conditions.
The heatwaves experienced in October will definitely impact volumes from this region.
Some varieties were affected more than others, and we forecast a normal crop from this region.
Sable Seedless were one of the varieties that decreased in volumes due to above mentioned.
With cold weather throughout the beginning of November, temperatures will rise in the weeks to follow.
Weather reports are forecasting anything between 30°C to 40°C for this week.
The early area will start week 47, although volumes will only increase from week 48 onwards.
Varieties being: Prime Seedless | Early Sweet | Starlight
Black Seedless varieties will move into full production from week 50.
WESTERN CAPE (BERG RIVER REGION | HEX RIVER REGION)
BERG RIVER
The heatwave that was experienced in the Northern part did not effect the Berg River area due to fruit still being in early stages of development.
Overall this area is showing promising development for a good kick off week 52.
Water availability was a massive challenge the previous season. We had sufficient rain the past season to keep normal crop volumes on the vines.
Sable Seedless and Midnight Beauty are looking promising with good bunch configuration.
We will also see an increase in new variety volumes in this area which will include Sweet Globe and Autumn Crisp.
HEX RIVER
The Western Cape went into bloom with challenging weather. Strong winds along with temperatures reaching over 40°C.
High temperatures and strong winds will have a definite effect on the Sable Seedless volumes out of the later region.
Late Black Seedless varieties like Adora Seedless and Sweet Joy seems to have good shoot growth and fertility.
Red Seedless volumes from the area seems promising, more accurate estimates will follow in the coming weeks.
Too many bunches on a vine can cause underdeveloped bunches and berries, hence crop control brings the vineyards into balance.
Bunch preparation will start on Early Red Seedless varieties: Sweet Celebration | Flame Seedless | Tawny.
This will ensure that bunch size, compactness and uniformity meet market requirements.
We look forward to deliver bigger volumes of Autumn Crisp and Sweet Globe this season.
Crop control will commence in the next couple of weeks on the new varieties in the area.
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Please get in contact with us for additional information:
Far East - Marietjie Franzsen | Hugo van Dyk
Europe - Louise van der Merwe | CJ van Staden
North America - Le Roux Strydom | CJ van Staden
United Kingdom - Le Roux Strydom | Johann Hauptfleisch
info@thegrapeco.co.za