Bumper grape harvest expected at Orange

GRAPE growers along the Orange River are expecting a good yield this year despite a late harvest due to unusually cold weather.

The Namibian Grape Company general manager, Gideon Nuuyango, estimates that his company will export 1,4 million 4,5kg boxes of grapes this year. ‘We’re forecasting the total harvest to be same as last year. We’re 90% sure of that,’ said Nuuyango. Nuuyango said the grape quality will be better than last year due to the late harvest, adding that markets are also expected to offer good prices for grapes because of the delayed supply. ‘Although the cold weather delayed harvesting by an estimated 10 days, it has improved the quality of the grapes and creates a promising market price,’ said Nuuyango. The company mainly exports grapes o the European and Asian markets. The Namibian Grape Export Company general manager, Danie Van Der Merwe, estimates that his company will export 400 000 1,5kg boxes of grapes this year compared to 350 000 last year. ‘We expect a good and quality harvest this year,’ Van der Merwe said.