Asia continues to be an important region for California grapes. Seven out of the top 10 markets for California grapes last season included markets in Asia. China is among the three largest export markets for California table grapes, along with Mexico and Canada.
“The 2015 season is in full swing with promotions for 'Grapes from California' underway in Asia and in other markets around the world,” said Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission. “Shipments will continue into January as will promotions in markets around the globe.”
More than 60 percent of the total California table grape crop is shipped after September 1. In 2014-15, 13.2 million 19-pound boxes of California grapes where exported to the Asia region from September through January.
“Tradeshows, such as Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong each year, are an important component of the work done for California grape exports and provides the commission’s marketing staff with an opportunity to meet with retailers from around the region to finalize late-season promotions for California grapes,” said Nave.
As part of the commission’s worldwide promotional program for ‘Grapes from California’, retailers are provided opportunities to increase sales of California grapes through chain-wide promotions. Examples include in-store grape samplings, special displays, display contests, unique point-of-purchase materials, consumer advertising and recipe leaflets.
