Orange River export landscape being reshaped: With cracks appearing in operations of some of the region's major players, grape producers are being forced to rethink their trading strategy

摘要

WHILST the rows and rows of vines in South Africa's Orange River table grape region were dropping their leaves to prepare for their winter rest, the chickens have come home to roost. A third successive tough season has eroded producer resources to theextent that 2005's autumn has become the season of liquidations. With it came intense behind-the-scenes activity to consolidate production in what many believe will in the long term be the reshaping of the Orange River landscape. It also raised questions about the circumstances which led to increasing numbers of growers being unable to service their debt.