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Published on October 20, 2025, in EuroFruit Magazine

Grapa varieties gain momentum

ARRA Varieties was recently featured in EuroFruit Magazine.  Click here to view the original article.

The international Grapa table grape programme expects another good season as it expands its presence across southern Africa.
 
ARRA Fire Crunch
During the past 12 months, the Grapa table grape programme has continued to build momentum across key regions in southern Africa.

AJ Jansen van Vuuren, table grape manager at TopFruit, says early indicators suggest that 2025/26 could be another standout year for its products.

Key highlights the past season were the first semi-commercial plantings of Arra Fire Crunch and Arra Cherry Crush in Namibia, the Northern Cape and Western Cape. “These red seedless varieties are gaining remarkable traction and are widely regarded as the future of premium red grapes,” van Vuuren notes. “Known for their resilience, rain tolerance, and excellent eating experience, they have generated what many in the industry are calling the new ‘red factor’. Looking ahead, Arra Cherry Crush is set to extend the range, complementing late red varieties and strengthening the region’s premium red offering.”

Arra Honey Pop continues to expand rapidly as vineyards mature, and new hectares are planted each season. “After another successful year, this early white seedless variety remains one of the most exciting prospects for both growers and retailers,” he continues. “At the same time, Arra Passion Fire (Arratwentynine) is showing exceptional fertility and strong bunch development, performing consistently across Namibia and the Northern Cape.”

Van Vuuren says both Arra Fire Crunch and Arra Cherry Crush have proved their ability to maintain fruit quality even in wet or humid weather: “Many growers are also transitioning to earlier-maturing varieties to reduce climatic risks and capture the benefits of the lucrative early export window, where Grapa varieties are particularly competitive.”

Namibia continues to reinforce its position as a reliable source of high-quality grapes. The country’s growers have built a reputation for excellence and consistency, and the region’s early timing aligns perfectly with pre-Christmas demand in key global markets.

The 2024/25 season saw smooth logistics and efficient exports, with increasing volumes shipped via Walvis Bay, a route offering faster transit times to Europe. “Although costs are higher compared to Cape Town, improvements at Cape Town Harbour since the 2023/24 season have enhanced overall reliability and export performance,” van Vuuren explains.

ARRA Honey Pop
 
 

The harvest in Namibia will start around week 44, he says, with the Grapa variety Early Sweet, followed by Arra Passion Star and Arra Honey Pop. “The Northern Cape is set to start around week 46, while Limpopo in the north of South Africa will commence around week 45 with Early Sweet and Arra Honey Pop.” It is expected that the first Grapa grapes will arrive in export markets around weeks 48/49.

Limpopo mirrors Namibia’s early timing and continues to strengthen its role in the country’s grape industry. “Since the commercial introduction of Arra Honey Pop in 2022, plantings have expanded rapidly thanks to its production friendly characteristics and overall quality,” he confirms.

In the Western Cape, following the ideal bud-break conditions, fertility levels have increased. “Canopy management is nearly two weeks ahead of last season,” he points out. “The region’s harvest is expected to begin around week 52 with Arra Honey Pop, followed by Arra Passion Fire and Arra Sweeties from week 2. This structured progression allows TopFruit to maintain continuous Arra supply from week 44 through to week 9, ensuring consistent market presence across all major destinations.”

Adding to the region’s optimism, the semi-commercial Arra Fire Crunch block in the Hex River Valley is due for harvest in week 1. This cultivar has shown “exceptional promise”, combining crisp texture, vibrant red colour, and rain tolerance.
 
Van Vuuren says this strategic progression reflects TopFruit and Grapa Global’s commitment to sustainability, quality, and innovation, ensuring the Grapa programme continues to thrive across South Africa’s diverse growing regions and maintains its leadership in the global table grape market.

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