Harvest situation in the Southern Hemisphere, week 51, 2010

Cherries

Rain at the end of week 49 in Chile reduced iQonsulting estimates for export by 10%, due to the losses of fruit in the region near Talca and farther south. Therefore Chile could reach about 45,000 metric tons of export, 34% more than last season.

In Argentina, the harvest in Mendoza is practically finished and work is concentrated in Neuquén. In Los Antiguos, the harvest is expected to begin in week 52. As of week 50, cherry exports had reached 1,280 MT, while in Chile, shipments total 27,3000 MT, with the harvest about 60% finished.

Grapes

The grape harvest in Piura, Peru, has finishe,d and the nation’s season is centered on the Red Globe harvest in Ica. The harvest there is about 35% complete.

In South Africa, due to rain in the Transvaal region and some areas in the Western Cape, a reduction in volume of the white seedless, especially Prime S and Sugraone, is expected. The cold wave in Europe is affecting South Africa, which sends most of its shipments there. Consumption remains slow and there are problems with distributing the fruit.

In Chile and Argentina, exports just started and the progress of both seasons is less than 5%. As of week 50, Chile totals 13,800 MT exported, mainly to the United States.

Source: iQonsulting/www.freshfruitportal.com