Grapes value chain

Producers source grafted table grape vines with licensed cultivars selected for berry size, colour and eating quality. Trellis infrastructure investment and rootstock selection for soil adaptability represent significant upfront capital requirements.

Table grapes require meticulous canopy management, berry thinning, gibberellic acid application and irrigation scheduling to achieve target berry size and sugar levels. South Africa is a leading southern hemisphere table grape exporter with harvest windows that supply European winter demand.

Bunches are hand cut at optimal sugar acid ratio and field selected for export, class one or class two grades. Selective harvesting by trained pickers who assess bunch architecture and berry condition is critical for achieving export pack out rates above sixty percent.

Bunches are trimmed, graded in packhouses with sulphur dioxide pads for botrytis prevention and packed into lined cartons. Forced air cooling to minus half a degree celsius within six hours of harvest is mandatory for maintaining berry firmness during sea freight.

Grapes not meeting fresh export specifications are dried into raisins or pressed for juice concentrate. Raisin production in the Orange River region is a major industry and juice concentrate serves global beverage manufacturing supply chains.

Export table grapes are shipped under controlled atmosphere via sea freight to Europe, UK and Asian markets. Market access depends on phytosanitary compliance, cold sterilisation protocols and meeting retailer specific sustainability certification requirements.