SATI takes message of confidence to Fruit Attraction Madrid 2026
[1 October 2026, Paarl] – The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) will take a message of confidence and season readiness to Fruit Attraction in Madrid next week, with a stable 2026/27 crop outlook and a focus on strengthening logistics resilience ahead of the Southern Hemisphere export season.
Fruit Attraction remains an important platform for the South African table grape industry, bringing together suppliers, international buyers and logistics role players from across the fresh produce value chain. The international trade show, which will take place from 6 to 8 October, is a key event on SATI’s annual calendar and provides an important opportunity to engage directly with international stakeholders ahead of the new season.
The initial 2026/27 crop estimate indicates a harvest of 78.4 million 4.5 kg equivalent cartons inspected for export, with a lower range of 76.8 million cartons and an upper range of about 79.9 million cartons. This provides a stable production base for the season ahead, supporting South Africa’s continued ability to supply international markets during the Southern Hemisphere export window.
As the industry prepares for the new season, SATI has prioritised logistics and logistics solutions to facilitate an efficient export season. Extensive engagement with producers, freight forwarders, Transnet and other relevant stakeholders has been a key part of the industry’s preparations.
A central focus at Fruit Attraction will be communicating these season-readiness plans to international stakeholders and providing greater visibility on the measures being put in place to support the reliable movement of grapes to export markets.
Building resilience through a broader port network
SATI’s logistics preparations build on Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s engagement with fresh produce stakeholders at the Port of Cape Town on the 11th of August. Commitments tabled by Creecy included a proactive diversion strategy making greater use of the wider port network, and closer collaboration to address operational challenges and improve data visibility.
The development of an effective early-season diversion strategy has been one of the main priorities for the table grape sector. SATI has engaged with relevant Transnet teams, including those at the Cape Town Container Terminal and the Port Elizabeth Container Terminal, to develop a strategy that leverages the broader national port network and helps alleviate pressure on the Cape Town Container Terminal during the crucial early-season window.
“A resilient port system is not one that never experiences disruption; rather, it can absorb disruption and pivot quickly to recover,” says SATI CEO Mecia Petersen.
“The strategic opportunity is not only about leveraging the wider port network in response to a crisis. It is about developing a genuinely integrated national port network that provides the industry with greater resilience and predictability.”
In the context of the deciduous fruit season, the Eastern Cape is well positioned to provide complementary scheduled capacity during the early-season export window. Using this capacity as part of a planned approach can help create predictable additional export capacity ahead of the peak season.
Predictability and visibility key to season readiness
“We are encouraged by Minister Creecy’s statements and direction to the port teams,” says SATI Chairperson Alwyn Dippenaar. “We now need the implementation of these instructions and revised approaches to see an improvement in exports via the ports. South Africa relies on an efficient port system to maintain our position in the global market.”
SATI continues to engage with ports and other stakeholders to align logistics planning with crop volumes and timing, supported by its prescriptive logistics model, developed with Transnova Africa, to inform decisions about the most effective route to market.
“The objective is to give the industry better visibility and enable earlier decisions,” says Petersen. “If we can anticipate volumes, timing and potential constraints, we can plan our logistics response proactively.”
Confidence in the season ahead
“Fruit Attraction gives us an important opportunity to communicate directly with our international customers and logistics partners about the preparations under way for the season,” says Petersen. “Our message is one of confidence. We have a stable crop, and we are working proactively with our logistics partners to strengthen the systems and solutions needed to support reliable supply.”
Fruit Attraction takes place in Madrid from 6–8 October 2026. SATI will be exhibiting at Hall 14, Stand E10.
ISSUED BY SATI
Enquiries:
Mecia Petersen
SATI CEO
+2721 863 0366
About SATI
SATI is the unified South African Table Grape Industry Association. All table grape producers are required to register with SATI, which is mandated by law as the industry’s official levy administrator. The levy is required to fund and facilitate market access and development, research and technology, information provision, transformation, and training. SATI is dedicated to operating a partnership that strives to maintain South Africa’s position as the preferred country of origin for retailers around the world. Contact: info@satgi.co.za