The South African raisin crop is set to be down nearly 20 per cent on initial forecasts after widespread rainfall hit key production areas.
Industry body Raisins SA initially estimated a total production of 104,000 tonnes, and the season began on a strong note with an excellent early yield.
However, rainfall hit a number of regions in February, and further extensive rain in late March caused crop losses in the eastern production areas upstream of Kakamas in the Northern Cape.
As a result, packers have revised their forecasts downwards and are now expecting a marketable yield of 84,360 tonnes.
