South African Table Grape Industry Aims to Grow North American and Far East Markets

South African table grape exports have increased YoY for the past five years. The industry has maintained and grown its established markets such as the EU and UK while pursuing market development efforts in emerging markets such as North America, the Far East, and the Middle East. South Africa remains the third largest Southern Hemisphere producer, and export figures provide positive indicators of the industry’s expansion into Northern hemisphere markets.

Over the last four years exports to the EU have increased by 6% depicting a positive and sustained market share in this region while UK exports have remained steady, displaying a 4% increase over the same period. Exports to Canada grew 19% over the last four years while exports to the US increased by 40% over the same period and the industry is aiming to grow the North American market further.

Compared to other Southern Hemisphere producing countries, South Africa has the advantage of proximity to Europe and free trade agreements with the EU and the UK. Further expansion to South-East Asian markets remains one of the industry's strategic objectives, and significant progress has been made, especially in China and the Philippine markets.