The Northern Hemisphere is slowly moving towards autumn. This spells the end of the stone fruit seasons. The hot, sunny weather experienced in the summer months have had consequences for the market. Yet, traders in most countries are satisfied with the results. Canadian cherry farmers have benefited from the trade war between the USA and China. Australian exporters have shifted their focus to the Asian markets.

The organic peach and nectarine season has just started at Pro-Plum, part of the OrganoGroup, on the Waterberg highlands of Limpopo Province, flown out to primarily Canada and Europe, with some smaller volumes to the Middle East.

South Africa’s stonefruit season is now well underway for most fruit categories, with good market conditions expected in Europe over the coming weeks.

South Africa may be renowned as one of the world’s top table grape exporters, offering a broad selection of new and improved varieties to markets in Europe, North America and Asia, but many of these new cultivars are also finding favor among consumers in the domestic market where they are giving the category a boost.

The start of the stone fruit season is around the corner in the Mediterranean. Spain continues to increase its stone fruit volumes and thus dominates the market in Europe. A good harvest is also expected in Greece, with rising export volumes to Europe and the Middle East.

Promotional activity for the South African stone fruit industry is underway and growers are optimistic about the season ahead. 

South African stonefruit industry continues to combat prolonged drought, although optimism is high over future volumes.

The European production of apricots, peaches and nectarines is estimated to be lower than last season.

South African stonefruit growers are expected to ship their first fruit of the new season to Northern Hemisphere markets later this week.

Frosty conditions in orchards in many countries this year have led to a slower start to many stone fruit productions across the globe, with Spain and Italy being particularly hard hit.