Early end of South African orange season

In the north of South Africa the Valencia season is coming to an end and the export volumes from Durban will decrease in the coming weeks, while in the Western, North and Eastern cape there is a normal Valencia harvest. The original export estimate for Valencia oranges, which was 50.3 million cartons of 15 kilograms, has been revised down to 48.7 million cartons for South Africa, including Zimbabwe and Eswatini (Swaziland). More than 34 million cartons (15 kilos) of this will come from the northern parts of South Africa. The estimate for the important Valencia growing area Letsitele was revised down by one million cartons. The late Valencias from this region are of better quality than Midknight oranges with smaller sizes but good coloring and higher marketable quantities. A month ago, growers in the Eastern and Western Cape were concerned about the small sizes of their Midknight oranges. In Letsitele and Senwes, most growers are expected to finish packing between weeks 34 and 36, ...