The Western Cape is the leading producer of South Africa’s winter crops, which are wheat, barley and canola. It is also in this province where plantings typically begin at the end of April, while in other provinces it’s around midyear.

A changing political landscape, as well as atypical season lengths and volumes, has had a marked impact on the European table grape industry over the last few months, says Robert van Melle, the head of grapes at Origin Fruit Direct.

Maize: Due to the severe rainfall conditions in the US; corn plantings are being delayed due to wet fields.

Apple harvesting is all but done in South Africa with just a few Cripps and Granny Smiths to go.

The South African wine industry has entered a new phase of repositioning, consolidation and reinvestment. Climate change, shifts in production and demand and financial pressures have led to the industry becoming smaller and required producers and wineries to rethink the way they do business.

At the moment, the price of pineapples on the world market is fairly stable. The quality is generally good. There are small volumes on the European market and both supply and demand are limited. The demand in Germany is even declining somewhat compared to previous years.