South Africa’s raisin industry is bouncing back from depressed figures last year, with expectations of improved production leading to exports increasing year-on-year from 69 000 tonnes to 72 000 tonnes for 2021-22.
According to research conducted by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conjunction with Raisin South Africa, the industry’s recovery from last year’s Covid blow could yield a 4% increase in shipments sent to foreign markets.
Moreover, not only is output projected to reach normal levels, but production in South Africa is set to increase by 19%.
The USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) and Raisins SA found that one of the primary reasons for the above-average recovery rate was the alcohol ban that was instituted under the various lockdown measures in South Africa from March last year.
It led to farmers changing vineyards to orchards in a bid to mitigate against the financial effects of not being able to send wine to local markets.
As a result, an additional 600 hectares were developed for raisin production, taking the country’s orchard total from 19 300 to 19 900 hectares.
Suitable weather conditions and orchards maturing in time for the current export season, form part of anticipated yield expansion, the FAS and Raisins SA found.
