South African grape yields hit by heat wave, export optimism remains

In South Africa, grape producers are encountering decreased yields for export as a result of extreme weather conditions. The Loskop Valley in Limpopo, which recently commenced its grape season, has seen its crops impacted by hail. Despite these challenges, the region maintains a generally positive outlook. However, in other principal grape-producing areas of the country, intense heat has raised concerns, particularly as Europe’s demand for South Africa’s table grapes grows. In the Orange River Valley of the Northern Cape, the country’s most extensive table grape region, temperatures soared above 40°C for multiple days in early October, leading to flower abscission in some vineyards. This phenomenon, where flowers detach from the plant due to environmental stress, notably excessive heat, results in a diminished fruit set and, consequently, reduced yields. Despite an estimated 10% reduction in yields caused by the heat, optimism persists. “The first grape estimate of the season had ...