South Africa: Growers are optimistic about 2024/2025 stone fruit exports

The outlook for the 2024/2025 stone fruit export season is promising, with growers expressing optimism about increased crop volumes compared to the previous year. This positive forecast follows a difficult 2023/2024 season marked by extreme weather events—such as storms, fog, and strong winds in the Port of Cape Town—and ongoing logistical challenges at the port. Weather impact and recovery This past winter brought much-needed rainfall, filling irrigation dams. However, a long, cold, wet spring impacted flowering and fruit sets in certain areas. In early October specific parts of the Western Cape were hit by sleet, hail and frost, with early nectarine and peach varieties most affected. The Berg River region also experienced a brief heatwave during the flowering of some plum varieties. Despite these weather challenges, the increased hectares coming into production are expected to contribute to year-on-year volume growth. There were no major weather events in the Klein Karoo, the ...