New fruit export doubles production

RAY SMUTS THE Sharon Fruit, one of the newest additions to South Africa’s export fruit basket, is flush with success, having doubled production this past season to 3 000 tons. The fledgling product, grown only in the Western Cape and on two farms in the Eastern Cape, is the southern hemisphere counter to northern hemisphere output. Israel is the only grower of this particular persimmon variety, with production of more than 2 million tons a year. The Cape’s production may seem insignificant in relation to that of Israel, but one should bear in mind the industry is only three years old. In 2003, Sharon Fruit under cultivation only occupied 1 00ha but new plantings have raised the total to 700ha, farmed by around 40 growers known collectively as the Sharon Fruit Grower’s Club of South Africa. Hein Smal, domestic marketing manager for Arisa, says foreign consumers are highly satisfied with the quality and taste of the export product. “We sell in US dollar terms, obtaining about US$6.3 per 2.5kg carton in Europe this season, but the recent heat wave in that part of the world not only impacted negatively on price but also on fruit quality.”