Table grape, raisin industry braces for massive 2026 harvest
The South African table grape and raisin industry is gearing up for a massive 2026 season, with the Orange River Valley expected to produce 85 percent of the national crop.
Orange River Producers’ Association chairperson Gabriël Viljoen says that despite the challenges from international markets, producers have agreed to split a 30 percent United States export tariff with American buyers to ensure fruit continues to flow to the States.
“Export tariff of 30% to the USA is still there on board and we’ve met up with our buyers on that side to take the 30%. They will pay the 15% and the producers will pay the other 15%, just to keep the door open and the fruit flowing to the USA.”
Viljoen adds: “The coming season is also looking very good, as you’ve mentioned, our new varieties, which is planted which the production is much better. We’re looking at an increase of about 2 to 3 million extra boxes of 4.5 kilogram boxes of grapes, which is going to be packed for the new coming season. So that’s going to be a total of about 82 to 83 million cartons, which will be four parts in Quebec for the 2026 season.”
VIDEO | Bumper harvest for raisin and grape growers: