The 2012-2013 table grape season just wrapped up in California, and, once again, Europe has been a big importer of grapes from California. The UK, in particular, has taken the bulk of shipments sent to the EU, with imports during 2012 greater than those in 2011.
“The United Kingdom is the major and important market to which the California table grape industry exports grapes,” said Susan Day, vice president of international marketing for the California Table Grape Commission. Shipments to Europe from May through November of 2012 totaled 436,000 10-pound boxes, and exports to the United Kingdom and Ireland accounted for 89 percent of that amount. In fact, the UK and Ireland markets have been so big for California growers that shipments to those countries grew 36 percent from 2011 to 2012. As a result, Day said the commission will have a presence at this year's Fruit Logistica conference in Berlin to connect with the important European market, as well as other markets from around the world.
“As one of the major international fresh fruit trade shows in the world, Fruit Logistica offers an opportunity to meet not only with European buyers, but other buyers from India and the Middle East,” she said. With regard to India, she noted that although there has been a surge in the amount of Indian grapes shipped to the UK, that should have no negative impact on the amount of California imports in the future.
“Indian grapes are counter-seasonal to California grapes,” explained Day, and she added that she sees continued good demand going forward.
“Over the past ten years the industry has had a stable supply with strong demand globally,” said Day. “We expect this to continue into 2013.”
