The Peruvian table grapes industry is seeing greater early demand from Latam and the US market following low storage levels in that market. According to Alejandro Carvajal, general manager of Fegurri Sac, “We have already started harvesting, from seeded to Red Globe grapes. We are seeing greater demand from the US market.”
Fegurri is situated in Piura, Peru, where the table grape vineyards of many producers had a lot of rain and flooding during this past winter. Fortunately for them they did not have flooding in their vineyards, but they still had to apply good management to prevent major issues. “This season started well with greater demand from the USA, in addition to a good market in Latin America. Perhaps the negative is a drop in production as a result of the rains at the beginning of the year that affected us, with 30% less fruit that is expected in the north and center of Peru, which is the earliest.”
Carvajal explains they had to apply careful management while their planning of the vineyards when it was established helped a lot to avoid localised flooding. “In our fields we have not had any flooding at the time, only puddles that are evacuated daily and does not represent irrigation for the cultivation of grapes, given the planning of drains and evacuation of rainwater to reservoirs, that is on low ground with a heavier texture. This is unlike the sectors in sandy soils that do not have this additional work. Excess water in the fields is not positive and that is why we make sure to evacuate and leave our plants safe from flooding and with the health issue we are free of mildew, a fungus that is common in this area in conditions that favour it for its reproduction.”
Other cultivars that they harvest later in the season include Allison and Crimson. The white grapes they have planted include Autumn Crisp and Sweet Globe. Their key export markets are mainly in Asia that include the Chinese market, Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan with Europe their other major market.
He concludes by saying there are some quality challenges in both Piura and Ica. “Today, the situation in Peru, for the northern area is at least 30% less fruit. For Ica a drop of 15% is initially estimated, and in general there are quality and condition problems, which are some of the problems in Peru.”
