Nicht nur Gold ist in trouble !!!
SA fruit industry in trouble
30/03/2005 21:24 - (SA)
Cape Town - More than 100 000 permanent workers in the deciduous fruit industry and at least 400 000 of their dependants could lose their livelihood as a result of the devastating effect of the drought on the export market in particular.
The gross turnover of the deciduous fruit export market is expected to drop by an estimated R2bn this year from last year.
This warning comes from professor Daan Louw, lecturer in agricultural economy at the University of the Free State and Agri Western Cape spokesperson for the fruit industry.
He said the gross returns for export grapes alone would drop by about R1bn from the previous year.
Louw said more than half of the country's 2 500 deciduous fruit farmers were battling because of the drought.
"People have not lost jobs on a large scale yet, but it could happen within the next few months. This industry is very labour intensive and up to 40% goes into production costs - workers could definitely be affected," he said.
To export fruit, the fruit has to be of top quality and to ensure this quality, orchards have to be irrigated. However, water restrictions have been introduced at most government water schemes.
When fruit is not properly irrigated, the quality is not only poorer, but the fruit is also more susceptible to diseases and damage from the sun.
Many farmers are cutting down on their post-harvest irrigation and this will have an effect on the next year's harvest. The new harvest therefore does not begin with a good reserve.
"Even if we get good rains, the next harvest will also not be good because of the post-harvest cuts," Louw said.
The areas that are worst affected are Olifant's River, Ceres, Tulbagh, Wolseley, Berg River, Hex River and Villiersdorp.
The Elgin-Grabouw area is in a better position and the Langkloof is not affected.
