First estimates for South African stonefruit will be released next month, but it seems that regardless of the volumes it will be an other tough season for the South African growers and exporters.

Last year stonefruit was hit by hail and unseasonable rain which reduced the volumes considerably from certain regions, but overall volumes were helped by new plantings coming onto productivity. Chile, South Africa's main competitor also suffered from frost damage early in the season which added to supply pressure.

"If Chile comes back with normal crop and we have a normal crop it will already be a challenging season," said Jacques du Preez from Hortgro, "But if we both have a big crop it will be a difficult season. We will have to look at alternatives, but we are still limited mainly to Hong Kong, Malyasia and Singapore in the East, with a chunk of our stone fruit exports also going to the Middle East."

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/