-Johan Jooste, South Africa / VP, General Manager of Operations
 

The winter of 2007 was a favorable one in many respects for deciduous fruit growing in most areas of South Africa.  However cold and wet weather continued through spring with some cold spells even after bloom in most areas, cool temperatures favored berry set.  Low temperatures after bud break and even set retarded fruit development and led to a late season.  Unseasonable rains during fruit development and harvest, some isolated hailstorms, and even heat waves further affected the volume and quality of the crop.  At the time of writing this report marketing of Sun World varieties have not been concluded, but all know it was a difficult season.  Under these somewhat adverse conditions growers did well to manage volumes and quality.  Points worth mentioning by variety are:

 

Sugraone (SUPERIOR SEEDLESS®) and Sugratwelve:

Due to above mentioned conditions the season was 7-14 days later and volumes were about 10% down on last year.  Quality remained surprisingly good with good berry size and high sugars.  Incidences of decay occurred, but not to the extent that it detracted from general good quality.  Sugraone once again proved its value as a “work horse” and to produce good results in adverse conditions.

 Small volumes of Sugratwelve were exported as COACHELLA SEEDLESS@ and followed very much the same pattern AS Sugraone.

 

 Sugrathirteen (MIDNIGHT BEAUTY®)

Volumes increased by a massive 80% above last year to 450,000 (4,5kg) cartons, mainly due to new vineyards that came into bearing as well as a number of growers that are materializing the production potential of this variety.  Quality varied from excellent to moderate mainly owing to variation in berry size (Orange River) and occurrence of tissue breakdown (Western Cape).   Sugars were slow to develop in some instances, mainly due to unseasonable rains and low heat units during springtime and early summer.  Grapes were harvested over a 14-week period from earliest to latest areas with a gradual increase up to week 2, a peak in week 4 and end of Sugrathirteen season in week 7.

 According to reports from various Supermarkets Sugrathirteen, along with Sugrasixteen, has become the main driving force behind the newly established black seedless category.  However, there are still much to learn on the production side and technical deficiencies have to be addressed rapidly.

 

 Sugrasixteen (SABLE SEEDLESS®)

This exotic tasting variety is gaining credit and popularity, especially in flavor conscious markets.  With a 150% increase in volume since the previous year, demand is still growing.  Although not an easy variety to produce, some growers are mastering technology to produce the required berry specification size with the flavor profile that differentiates this variety from all others.

 Production season, like Sugrathirteen, was spread out over 14 weeks.  It seemed that unseasonable rains least affected this variety and quality reports to date were favorable.

 

 Sugranineteen (SCARLOTTA SEEDLESS®)

Sugranineteen has not been harvested yet and harvest in test blocks is expected mid to end of March.  This is a prolific bearer with natural large berry size and growers have to learn to apply crop control early and aggressively to achieve uniform, large berry size with uniform red color.  This variety seems to color well and, if required production techniques are applied, high production and pack-outs could be expected.

Being 10-14 days later than Crimson Seedless, it is expected that this variety could compliment Crimson Seedless and extend the season for the red seedless category.

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Sun World Grape Expo Update

Panel discussions, 2003 Grape Expo

Bacon Recognized as Top Performer

Bacon (left) with fellow recipients