The South African apple and pear season has started earlier than usual, creating a mix of opportunity and uncertainty for producers. Early indications point to good-quality fruit, although factors such as hail damage, water availability, logistics and exchange-rate volatility are expected to influence outcomes as the season progresses.
Industry role players say the crop is progressing well, but caution that several variables remain outside producers’ control.
Hail Damage Under Assessment
Recent hailstorms have raised concern in two major production regions. The Langkloof was severely affected by hail on 5 February, followed by further damage in the Koue Bokkeveld on 8 February.
“It is with concern that we take note of the hail damage reported in the Langkloof and the Koue Bokkeveld; however, the full extent of the impact on the apple and pear crop is still being assessed,” said Roelf Pienaar, Managing Director at Tru-Cape Fruit.
Pienaar said that while quality indicators remain encouraging, several variables will continue to influence market performance and global demand as the season unfolds.
Harvest Running Ahead of the Norm
Depending on the variety, the season is on average seven to ten days earlier than usual. Calla du Toit, Procurement Director at Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, confirmed that the first BigBucks Gala apples in the Ceres region were harvested on 26 January — ten days earlier than last season.
Harvesting of Rosemarie pears, a blushed summer pear variety, began on 23 December, approximately two to three weeks earlier than the industry norm. Du Toit noted that it was only the second time in 25 years that harvesting had started before Christmas.
In the EGVV region — Elgin, Grabouw, Villiersdorp and Vyeboom — summer pears are ten to twelve days earlier than usual, while apples are approximately seven to ten days ahead of the normal pattern. Graeme Krige, Technical Advisor at Two-a-Day, said a good-volume crop with clean fruit is expected, with later varieties likely to return to a more normal ripening pattern.
Weather and Water Pressures
Warm and dry conditions during November and December played a significant role in the earlier harvest. According to Du Toit, the absence of cooler, wetter periods accelerated ripening and contributed to good fruit quality, despite a windy season.
Krige noted that warmer spring and early summer temperatures shortened the growing season, which affected fruit size.
Water availability is currently not a major concern in Ceres and the EGVV, but responsible water use remains essential. In the Langkloof, the lack of summer rainfall placed producers under severe pressure, forcing difficult irrigation decisions. Although recent rain benefited tree health, it came too late to influence fruit size.
Export Demand and Market Access
Demand for South African apples and pears remains positive. A significant portion of Rosemarie pears is destined for the Middle East, with additional opportunities in India, Russia and China. Delayed arrivals of New Zealand Royal Gala apples are creating opportunities in the Far East.
In Europe and the United Kingdom, the apple season is expected to start slightly later due to carry-over stock. Tru-Cape follows a diversification strategy to spread fruit across multiple markets and manage the transition between carry-over and new-season fruit.
Logistics and Exchange Rate Challenges
Logistics remains the biggest challenge for producers. Productivity at the Port of Cape Town and recovery after windbound conditions are critical to export success. A stronger rand also poses a risk, as it negatively affects producer income despite reducing certain input costs.
Despite these challenges, investment in packhouse upgrades at Two-a-Day and Ceres Fruit Growers, along with the introduction of new varieties and increasing summer pear volumes, positions the industry to take advantage of opportunities ahead.