Unfavorable weather earlier in the season has made for tight supplies of red grapes coming from Chile as compared to the supply of green grapes. But that situation could flip next month, as more red grapes are expected in the U.S. market.
“The supply of red grapes should pick up around late March or April,” said Jared Lane with Grapeman Farms. As it stands, there's a greater supply of green grapes, and current prices reflect the imbalance between the kinds of grapes. On March 14, prices for an 18-pound container of extra large Crimson Seedless grapes from Chile were between $28.00 and $30.00 at the Los Angeles port of entry, and prices for a container of extra large Thompson Seedless grapes were between $22.00 and $24.00.
“The market for greens has been a little looser because there's a tighter supply of red,” noted Lane. “But that will flip in April, when I think there will be better prices for green grapes. We expect good prices for Thompson Seedless grapes in April, and we expect to work with retailers to put out promotable prices for Crimsons during that month as well. Then we hope greens clear out before we start Flames from Mexico in May.”
