OVERVIEW
Grapes and wine Record harvests are being recorded.
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he Orange River region produced a record grape harvest in 2016/17, going above 20-million 4.5kg equivalent cartons for the first time. Despite what were described as ideal conditions, berry sizes were smaller in the 2017/18 season and production was down by 7%. However, with new, more hardy varietals being developed and planted, the outlook for the grape industry in the Northern Cape is good. A variety of seedless grapes dominate plantings, with Thompson Seedless, Prime, Sugraone, Grapaes and Crispy Flame Seedless among the most popular. The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) reports that the Orange River region has 1 975 permanent employees and 16 926 seasonal employees. If ambitious plans to create a Special Economic Zone at Upington come to fruition, the grape, raisin and wine traders of the Northern Cape could be among the beneficiaries, providing logistical support for getting their products to international markets more rapidly than is currently the case. On a provincial level, there are plans to add 40 000 tons of grapes for wine, juice and raisins to the Northern Cape’s capacity. A draft six-year plan has been developed for the Northern Cape Vineyard Development Scheme which will be implemented by the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), the National Agricultural Marketing Council, the Land Bank, Distell, Winetech and Orange River Wine Cellars. Almost a third of South Africa’s table grape crop is produced in the fertile Orange River region of the Northern Cape. The South African table grape industry has been investing in some new varietals which produce a better yield. Seventy percent of the Sultana grapes grown in the Lower Orange River Region are used for vine-fruit products. There are 1 250 Sultana grape growers in the province, producing three
NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2019/20
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SECTOR INSIGHT A Special Economic Zone could boost exports. Sultana-type grapes which rank among the best in the world: the Sultana Clone H5, a new hybrid called Merbein Seedless, which has proved resistant to splitting after rain, and the most popular type, the 143B. The following vine-fruit products are produced in the Northern Cape: Sundried Thompson Seedless Raisins; Dipped Orange River Sultanas; Golden Sultanas; Muscat Raisins; and Monuca Raisins. An example of successful Sultana-grape production in the province is SAD Vine Fruit (Pty) Ltd, which owns the largest dried-vine fruit processing and packaging plant in South Africa. The Upington-based firm employs more than 350 people when in full production. As much as 80% of vine fruit grown in South Africa is exported, primarily to Europe.
