After a dry warm autumn, South Africa's winter rains have come late this year ­ only starting at the end of May. However, disturbed weather patterns are evident across the world. The country's fruit canners have had "a tough season" for the 1999-2000 campaign, according to Terry Malone, manager of the South African Fruit and Vegetable Canners' Association. The canning sector is faring better than the fresh fruit producers who are in crisis (p18): the pack quality is good, although the fruit is "on the small side". Shipments to Europe have got off to a slow start this year ­ due in part to uncertainty over the implementation of the EU canned fruit quotas, which were caught up in an unconnected row over the use of the descriptors port and sherry. "The system is now working well," Malone told The Grocer. If EU customers were reluctant to write business because of the administration issues, these have now been resolved. The other factor holding back the business, according to Malone, has been stock levels inside the EU. "There's a lot of Greek product in store, which is depressing demand and prices." Malone is confident that shipments to the EU will rise in the coming months, but the economy remains a concern, Inflation is running at 6%, but the target export markets have inflation nearer to 1%. Added to this is the currency rates: this week sterling rose to 10.59 rand, although the rand has strengthened against the euro to 6.70. {{PROVISIONS }}

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