While the California table grape season is still in full swing, countries in South America are getting ready for their export season. “We have a small table grape program from Brazil”, says Mark Greenberg, President of Capespan North America. The first fruit is scheduled to depart Brazil the second week of September and it should be available at our Canadian retail customers for six or seven weeks until Peruvian seedless grapes enter the market. “Each year, we are seeing fewer Brazilian table grapes. With increased acreage of late-season white seedless varieties in California, US retailer interest in these early Brazilian white seedless grapes has declined,” said Greenberg.
Better timing for Peru
Peru’s timing works a little better for North America. “Our first Peruvian fruit will arrive in Canada towards the middle of November when California’s season is winding down,” mentioned Greenberg, and our US-bound fruit will follow.” Peruvian seedless table grapes are usually available until the end of January. The window of availability for Peruvian Red Globes extends from November all the way through mid-March. This seeded variety is actually the single largest table grape variety grown in Peru although new plantings in Peru are focusing on seedless varieties. “The country consistently supplies high quality grapes that are ideal for high-end retail sales.”
Chile is single largest source of table grapes
Seedless grapes make up the largest part of Capespan North America’s import program reflecting North American consumers’ preference for this type of grape. “The majority of our winter seedless table grapes are sourced in Chile. Light volumes can be expected to arrive in the US and Canada by mid-December and volumes should pick up through the New Year and continue into May.” In the last few years, Chilean table grape growers have faced extraordinary climatic conditions. The country’s earliest growing region in the Atacama was devastated by floods about five months ago. The floods damaged vineyards, destroyed irrigation infrastructure and took a huge toll on the local population. “Copiapó is expected to have lost about 25 to 30 percent of their table grape volume,” mentioned Greenberg. Chile’s IV Region (Coquimbo) has been severely impacted by a protracted drought that has reduced table grape volumes from the region over the last few years. “Recently, the region received some winter rain that has offered some much-needed relief to table grape producers which should positively impact this season’s grape quality and volume.”
“Table grapes are important for North America’s retail consumer. It is a product that every retailer stocks and tries to promote, but it continues to be challenging to create the right balance for retailers and growers,” admitted Greenberg. “Retailers need an attractive retail price and growers require a financial return that makes the expensive and risky venture of table grape production a worthwhile endeavor.” The ability to bridge these competing needs is being helped this year by a US dollar that has appreciated against most currencies. Greenberg noted that the strong US Dollar will make the US a very attractive market for imported table grapes this season. But he adds that “to get the full benefit of the market, product will need to meet US retailer high standards of quality and condition.”
