Bitter harvest before Ramadan and Christmas

Exports of dried fruit shrivel by a third RAY SMUTS FOR NOW, there is not much to smile about in South Africa's R290 million a year dried fruit industry as a number of factors have contributed to exports plummeting 33% in the first half of the year over 2003. The country expects to export around 30 000 tons of the chewy sweetness this year but a weaker harvest in 2003 accounts for no stockpiles hence the inability to meet Easter demand in a satisfactory manner. On top of that, Ramadan, the ninth month on the Muslim calendar, and Christmas lie ahead - both religious celebrations where dried fruit is much in demand. An industry official, expressing concern at the downturn, makes the point that foreign buyers insist on consistency of supply without which they will simply source their requirements elsewhere. Rain has also been an unwelcome factor affecting part of the most recent harvest and is bound to impact negatively on prices. South Africa is not a large player in the global dried fruit stakes; for example it produces around 35 000 tons of raisins compared with Turkey's 250 000 tons and 1500 tons of dried apricots to Turkey's 70 000 tons, but this country's quality is superior, which augurs well for the prospect of good future profits. It requires a lot of fresh fruit to produce the dried version; four tons of grapes for a ton of raisins, 5.5 tons of apricots for a ton of dried apricots and ten tons of apples for a ton of the dried apples. The country has the ability to produce more dried fruit if growers are able to maintain good quality, supply and service.