Start of the overseas organic pear season

The overseas grape season starts in mid-December, but planning begins now. Demand for organic grapes remains strong and our growers need early visibility on the volumes they can reserve for fixed programmes. By aligning programmes in advance, we can secure organic volumes more effectively and are also in a stronger position to offer competitive pricing. 

Along the Orange River in South Africa’s Northern Cape lies Carpe Diem, a long-standing and trusted partner for our organic grapes. Owner Gog van der Colff took over the family business in 2000 and made the deliberate decision to switch to organic farming in 2006. What began as a step that not everyone was initially convinced by has developed into a progressive organic farm producing grapes, pecans and raisins. 

El Niño is clearly affecting the South American mango season this year. Higher temperatures and unusual rainfall patterns are disrupting flowering, making availability and harvest timing less predictable.