Raw Material
Commodity GroupTable grapes (fresh)
Scientific NameVitis vinifera
PerishabilityHigh
Growing Conditions- Long, warm to hot, generally dry summer with a cool winter dormancy period in most traditional production regions
- Best performance on well-drained soils; irrigation often used in dry climates and water management is a key agronomic variable
- Canopy and trellis management are important to protect bunches from damage and manage heat, sun exposure, and disease pressure
Main VarietiesAutumn Royal (black seedless table grape cultivar)
Consumption Forms- Fresh consumption as a snack fruit
- Fresh use in fruit salads and mixed produce packs
Grading Factors- Bunch appearance and fill (not excessively tight or straggly for the variety)
- Berry firmness and attachment to capstem; low shatter
- Absence of decay/mold and major defects; stem freshness
- Color uniformity consistent with variety expectations
- Maturity and eating quality (commonly assessed with soluble solids and related maturity indices in programs)
Market
Fresh Autumn Royal is a late-season black seedless table grape cultivar developed by USDA-ARS in California and released to growers in 1996. In global trade it competes within the broader fresh table grape category, where year-round shelf presence is maintained by counter-seasonal supply from the Southern Hemisphere and summer-to-autumn supply from the Northern Hemisphere. Variety-level production and trade statistics are not separately reported in major global datasets, so trade positioning is typically assessed using table-grape and fresh-grape trade aggregates alongside buyer specifications that require clear variety labeling. Market performance is strongly shaped by cold-chain execution and decay control practices, alongside compliance with quality/class standards such as UNECE FFV-19 and national grade requirements.
Major Producing Countries- 중국Major table-grape producer; Autumn Royal share is not separately reported in standard global production datasets.
- 인도Major table-grape producer; cultivar-level reporting is typically not available in global datasets.
- 터키Large grape producer with significant fresh and dried grape supply; cultivar-level reporting is typically not available in global datasets.
- 이집트Significant producer/exporter of fresh table grapes; cultivar-level reporting is typically not available in global datasets.
- 미국Key producer of premium seedless table grapes; Autumn Royal was developed and commercialized in California.
- 칠레Major Southern Hemisphere table-grape producer supplying counter-seasonal export markets.
- 페루Major Southern Hemisphere table-grape producer supplying counter-seasonal export markets.
Major Exporting Countries- 중국Among leading exporters by quantity in ITC Trade Map for fresh table grapes (HS 080610).
- 칠레Major counter-seasonal exporter in ITC Trade Map fresh table grape flows (HS 080610).
- 페루Major counter-seasonal exporter in ITC Trade Map fresh table grape flows (HS 080610).
Major Importing Countries- 미국Leading import market by value in ITC Trade Map for fresh grapes/table grapes aggregates (HS 0806/080610, depending on view).
- 독일Major EU import market for fresh grapes in ITC Trade Map (HS 0806/080610, depending on view).
- 영국Major import market for fresh grapes in ITC Trade Map.
- 네덜란드Major import and distribution hub market in ITC Trade Map (re-export hub dynamics may apply).
- 캐나다Large North American import market for fresh grapes in ITC Trade Map.
- 프랑스Major import market for fresh grapes in ITC Trade Map.
- 인도네시아Significant import market for fresh grapes in ITC Trade Map.
- 멕시코Significant import market for fresh grapes in ITC Trade Map.
Supply Calendar- United States (California):Oct, NovUSDA-ARS notes Autumn Royal typically ripens in early October and can be marketed later in the year with proper storage and handling.
- Italy:Aug, Sep, OctNorthern Hemisphere late-summer to autumn table-grape supply window; black seedless categories overlap seasonally even when Autumn Royal itself is not the dominant cultivar.
- Peru:Nov, Dec, Jan, FebSouthern Hemisphere counter-seasonal window supporting global winter supply of fresh table grapes (typically other cultivars).
- Chile:Dec, Jan, Feb, MarSouthern Hemisphere counter-seasonal window supporting global winter supply of fresh table grapes (typically other cultivars).
- South Africa:Dec, Jan, FebSouthern Hemisphere counter-seasonal window supporting global winter supply of fresh table grapes (typically other cultivars).
Risks
Postharvest Quality And Decay HighFresh table grapes require near-freezing storage and high relative humidity; temperature excursions and poor humidity control accelerate stem desiccation, shatter, and fungal decay, quickly reducing marketable quality in international shipments. Decay-control systems (commonly SO2-based) are a critical but operationally sensitive part of many storage and export programs.Use rapid pre-cooling, maintain ~-1 to 0°C and high RH through the entire cold chain, apply decay-control protocols (e.g., SO2 pads where used) correctly, and monitor temperature history and stem condition in transit and at receipt.
Pesticide Residues MediumFresh grape trade is sensitive to maximum residue limit (MRL) compliance; differences between Codex MRLs and destination-market rules can create border detentions, rejections, or costly re-routing if residue programs are not aligned.Align spray programs to destination-market MRLs, implement pre-shipment residue testing, and maintain robust lot-level traceability and documentation.
Climate And Water MediumGrapevine production is sensitive to weather patterns (e.g., rain during ripening increasing rot risk) and, in dry regions, relies on irrigation; drought and heat can reduce berry size and increase sunburn risk, while water constraints can limit yield and quality consistency.Strengthen irrigation scheduling and water efficiency, apply canopy management to reduce heat and sunburn exposure, and diversify origins/harvest windows to reduce single-region weather exposure.
Quality Standards And Labeling LowInternational and national standards for table grapes specify minimum quality requirements and clear labeling conventions (including variety identification). Noncompliance can trigger claims, downgrades, or rejection in tightly specified retail import programs.Harmonize pack specs and labeling with UNECE FFV-19 and destination-market grade/inspection requirements; verify variety identity and pack integrity at shipment.
Sustainability- Water stewardship and irrigation dependence in many table-grape producing regions, especially in hot/dry climates
- Agrochemical use and residue management expectations in export supply chains
- Cold-chain energy use and packaging waste management in long-distance fresh-fruit logistics
Labor & Social- Seasonal labor availability and labor standards compliance in vineyard and packing operations
- Worker health and safety, including training and controls for pesticide handling and heat exposure
FAQ
What is Autumn Royal grape, and when is it typically available?Autumn Royal is a black, generally seedless table grape cultivar developed by USDA-ARS in California and released to growers in 1996. USDA-ARS has described it as a fall grape that typically ripens in early October and can be marketed later into the year when stored and handled properly.
What storage temperature is recommended for fresh table grapes in trade and cold-chain handling?UC Davis postharvest guidance recommends berry storage at about -1 to 0°C with high relative humidity (around 90–95%) to preserve quality and reduce losses during storage and shipment.
Which countries are prominent in global fresh grape trade flows used to benchmark table grape sourcing?ITC Trade Map trade statistics for grapes (HS 0806/080610, depending on view) show countries such as China, Chile, and Peru among leading exporters, while the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada appear among leading import markets. These trade aggregates are commonly used as benchmarks because variety-level flows (e.g., Autumn Royal specifically) are typically not reported.