South African table grape exports reach 78.3M cartons despite weather disruptions, logistics delays

SOUTH AFRICA – South African table grape growers have concluded the 2025/26 season with steady performance despite volatile weather and logistical setbacks, with total exports reaching 78.3 million cartons, marginally higher than the previous season.

The industry inspected 81.25 million cartons for export, a 3% increase year-on-year, demonstrating strong production capacity even under pressure.

Mecia Petersen, chief executive of industry body Sati, explained the challenges faced. “While it is worth noting that we achieved steady export volumes, the 2025/26 table grape season was highly challenging, with growers facing significant commercial pressure amid weather-related disruptions and logistics delays.”

Key challenges included unpredictable rainfall during critical growing periods, which affected fruit size and quality. Port congestion at Cape Town and Durban caused shipping delays, forcing exporters to reroute via alternative ports at higher costs.

Additionally, the ongoing Red Sea shipping crisis extended transit times to European and Middle Eastern markets, raising freight costs across the supply chain.

Despite these hurdles, the industry remained within the upper limit of its initial crop estimate. Growers demonstrated resilience by adapting quickly to changing conditions, adopting flexible harvesting schedules, and maintaining strong communication with export partners.

For regional investors, South Africa’s export resilience signals stable investment opportunities in the fresh produce sector. The industry’s ability to maintain export volumes despite multiple shocks demonstrates robust supply chain management.

Growers maintained competitiveness through several strategies: diversifying export destinations to reduce reliance on any single market, investing in cold-chain infrastructure to preserve fruit quality during longer transit times, adopting resilient table-grape varieties suited to variable weather, and shifting to earlier-maturing varieties to avoid peak weather risks.

“The South African table grape industry has concluded the 2025/26 season with a steady performance despite a challenging operating environment, reflecting continued stability across production and export activities,” Sati stated.

Thus, the table grape sector’s ability to marginally exceed previous export figures under intense commercial pressure signals a period of stability and growth for regional agriculture.

More importantly, the season demonstrated the industry’s ability to adapt and remain competitive under pressure, offering critical insights for stakeholders across the fresh produce value chain.

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