The South African table grape and raisin industry is gearing up for a massive 2026 season, with the Orange River Valley expected to produce 85 percent of the national crop.
Orange River Producers’ Association chairperson Gabriël Viljoen says that despite the challenges from international markets, producers have agreed to split a 30 percent United States export tariff with American buyers to ensure fruit continues to flow to the States.
“Export tariff of 30% to the USA is still there on board and we’ve met up with our buyers on that side to take the 30%. They will pay the 15% and the producers will pay the other 15%, just to keep the door open and the fruit flowing to the USA.”
Viljoen adds: “The coming season is also looking very good, as you’ve mentioned, our new varieties, which is planted which the production is much better. We’re looking at an increase of about 2 to 3 million extra boxes of 4.5 kilogram boxes of grapes, which is going to be packed for the new coming season. So that’s going to be a total of about 82 to 83 million cartons, which will be four parts in Quebec for the 2026 season.”
VIDEO | Bumper harvest for raisin and grape growers:
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/montreal-s-old-port-and-skyline-at-sunset-illustrative.jpg?id=53916080&width=2000&height=1500&coordinates=505%2C0%2C505%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>As the end of October nears, so does the end of <a href="https://www.narcity.com/ryan-reynolds-daylight-saving-time-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">daylight saving time 2024</a>, and Quebecers are getting ready to turn their clocks back for the semiannual time change. </p><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/daylight-saving-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daylight saving time</a> (DST) will officially wrap up this week, signalling that it's once again time to "fall back." This change means we'll be losing an hour of daylight in the evenings, but hey — at least the silver lining is that we all get a little extra sleep this weekend.</p><p>So, when exactly do clocks go back? This year, daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. this Sunday, November 3. At that time, clocks will "fall back" by one hour, shifting everyone in most of Canada into standard time for the winter months. So don't forget to check your clocks that don't update automatically — like the ones in your oven, microwave and car!</p><h3>When does the time change?</h3><br/><p>Daylight saving time 2024 ends on Sunday, November 3 at 2 a.m., when the clocks will "fall back" by one hour — giving you an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning.</p><p>Most parts of the country will remain on standard time until the spring, when clocks will "spring forward" to daylight saving time again on Sunday, March 9, 2025.</p><h3>Why do the clocks change?</h3><br/><p>Daylight saving time started as a way to maximize daylight during the summer. Now, most of Canada follows the routine of springing forward in March and falling back in November, giving people an extra hour of sunlight in the evening through the warmer months.</p><h3>Do clocks go forward or back?</h3><br/><p>In November, the clocks will fall back, meaning you'll turn your clocks back by one hour — giving you that welcome extra hour of sleep! In the spring, they'll spring forward again.</p><h3>Which province does not change time?</h3><br/><p> Most of Canada will switch back this weekend, but not every region participates in the time change. Saskatchewan sticks to Central Standard Time (CST) all year, even though it's technically in the Mountain Time Zone. Yukon also stays on Mountain Standard Time (MST) year-round, having stopped observing DST in 2020.
</p><p> Some cities and communities across the country also choose to skip the clock changes, maintaining the same time year-round.
</p><h3>Is Quebec getting rid of daylight saving time?</h3><br/><p> Some provinces are looking to get rid of the semiannual time change by making daylight saving time permanent. A spokesperson for Quebec's justice minister <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/quebec-is-open-to-daylight-savings-time-lasting-all-year-but-theres-a-catch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told MTL Blog in 2022</a> that the Quebec government was "open" to keeping daylight time year-round, but there hasn't seemed to have been any movement on the issue in the province.</p><p>Meanwhile, while the U.S. Senate passed the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/623/all-info" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sunshine Protection Act</a> in 2022 to make daylight time permanent, the change hasn't become law yet. If it eventually passes, various Canadian provinces like Quebec and Ontario might follow suit, but for now, DST changes will continue twice a year.
</p><p>So, set a reminder to fall back this weekend, and enjoy the extra hour of sleep!</p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em><br/></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
One of the worst stretches of pothole-riddled roads in Preston has seen repairs. Lancashire County Council’s contractors were out during Friday (10 July) to patch…
