Grape industry hopeful of new agreement with US

Pest-related problem dries up exports RAY SMUTS THE TABLE grape industry is seeking a new agreement with the United States to allow shipments to resume in the wake of exports all but drying up after detection of a pest-related problem. Elaine Alexander, CE of the South African Table Grape Industry, told FTW that the industry, through the department of agriculture, was awaiting word from the US plant health inspectorate on its application for a new protocol. “We have, over the past few years, seen a decline in table grapes going to the US and currently have a protocol issue but hope we can commence with exports this coming season.” South Africa produces both normal and organic grapes. The gremlin was due to a “very minimal” pest problem detected by the Americans on the organic product, resulting in the red light flashing. “The current protocol relies on 22 days’ cold sterilisation, followed by fumigation in the US. The problem with that is that grapes have to be heated somewhat before the fumigation process, so it can take about 35 days to get them onto the market. “We have consequently seen a huge drop to the US the past year.” Even though table grape producers obtained good prices for their product last time around, Alexander says the existing protocol has been prohibitive. “It’s made it very difficult for us to deliver a quality product to that particular market at this stage.”