Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupFresh fruit (table grapes)
Scientific NameVitis vinifera
PerishabilityHigh
Growing Conditions- Temperate to Mediterranean climates with warm, dry ripening periods
- Well-drained soils and trellised vineyard systems
- Reliable irrigation in many commercial regions to stabilize berry size and yields
Main VarietiesThompson Seedless (Sultana-type green seedless)
Consumption Forms- Fresh table grapes (retail and foodservice)
- Secondary use diversion when out-of-spec (juice/processing) in some supply chains
Grading Factors- Bunch appearance and uniformity
- Berry size and firmness
- Color/maturity for green seedless market requirements
- Shatter and stem condition
- Absence of decay (including Botrytis) and other defects
Market
Fresh Thompson Seedless (also marketed as Sultana in some contexts) is a widely grown green seedless table grape traded internationally within the broader seedless grape category. Production spans Northern Hemisphere Mediterranean and South Asian origins as well as Southern Hemisphere export suppliers, enabling near year-round availability for import markets. Major import demand is concentrated in the United States, European distribution hubs, and several Middle East and East Asian destinations. In many export programs, Thompson Seedless competes with newer proprietary seedless cultivars, so its trade role is often as a mainstream green seedless option. Global trade outcomes are highly sensitive to cold-chain integrity and border compliance (phytosanitary and pesticide-residue requirements).
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Major Producing Countries- 중국Among the largest global table grape producers; production is largely absorbed domestically with some regional trade.
- 인도Major producer/exporter of fresh seedless table grapes; Thompson Seedless-type plantings are prominent in commercial supply.
- 터키Significant grape producer with Mediterranean seasonality; Thompson Seedless/Sultana-type cultivation is well established.
- 미국Important producer (notably California) supplying domestic consumption and some export of table grapes.
- 이집트Large North African producer with an early-season export window into Europe and the Middle East.
- 이탈리아Major European table grape producer supplying regional markets during the Mediterranean season.
- 칠레Key Southern Hemisphere producer supplying counter-seasonal exports to North America, Europe, and Asia.
- 페루Fast-growing Southern Hemisphere producer/exporter providing early counter-seasonal supply into Northern Hemisphere markets.
- 남아프리카Established Southern Hemisphere producer/exporter serving Europe and other destinations during the Northern Hemisphere off-season.
Major Exporting Countries- 페루Major counter-seasonal exporter; shipping programs are often timed to arrive ahead of Northern Hemisphere production.
- 칠레Longstanding counter-seasonal exporter with diversified destination markets.
- 남아프리카Counter-seasonal exporter serving Europe and other import markets.
- 인도Key exporter during late-winter/early-spring supply windows into Europe and the Middle East.
- 이집트Early-season exporter into Europe and nearby markets.
- 스페인Mediterranean-season exporter supplying Europe and some third markets.
- 이탈리아Mediterranean-season exporter with strong intra-European distribution.
- 미국Exports are smaller relative to domestic market size; shipments are sensitive to quality and cold-chain execution.
Major Importing Countries- 미국Among the largest import destinations for fresh table grapes, sourced counter-seasonally as well as from nearby origins.
- 네덜란드Major European entry and redistribution hub for fresh produce, including table grapes.
- 독일Large consumer market within Europe supplied through direct imports and EU distribution channels.
- 영국Significant import market relying on counter-seasonal Southern Hemisphere and Mediterranean-season supply.
- 캐나다Major North American import market supplied largely through global programs.
- 중국Imports premium and counter-seasonal table grapes alongside large domestic production.
- 아랍에미리트Regional trade hub importing for domestic consumption and onward distribution.
- 사우디아라비아Large Middle East import market supplied by multiple origins.
Supply Calendar- Peru:Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, MarCounter-seasonal program supplying Northern Hemisphere markets ahead of Mediterranean-season production.
- Chile:Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, AprCounter-seasonal supply into North America, Europe, and Asia.
- South Africa:Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, MayCounter-seasonal supply into Europe and other markets.
- India:Jan, Feb, Mar, AprLate-winter/early-spring export window, often serving Europe and the Middle East.
- Egypt:May, Jun, JulEarly Northern Hemisphere season, supplying nearby and European markets.
- United States (California):Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, NovMajor Northern Hemisphere summer-to-fall supply window supporting domestic and some export demand.
- Mediterranean Europe (Italy/Spain):Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, NovCore Mediterranean season supporting European retail programs.
- Turkey:Aug, Sep, OctLate-summer to early-autumn Mediterranean supply window.
- China:Jul, Aug, Sep, OctLarge domestic season with some cross-border and premium market flows.
Specification
Major VarietiesThompson Seedless (Sultana)
Physical Attributes- Green to yellow-green berries typically sold as seedless bunch grapes
- Moderately thin skin and a relatively neutral-to-sweet flavor profile compared with some aromatic varieties
- Berry size, firmness, and uniform bunch appearance are key buyer-facing quality cues
Compositional Metrics- Soluble solids (°Brix) is commonly specified alongside berry firmness and maturity indicators
- Defect tolerances typically focus on decay, shatter, cracking, and stem condition
Grades- UNECE standards for table grapes are commonly used as a reference framework for export quality and tolerances
- Codex Alimentarius standards and/or national grade standards may be referenced depending on destination market
Packaging- Vented export cartons with internal liners/bags are common for refrigerated transport
- Retail-ready clamshells or punnets are widely used in modern trade channels
- Decay-management materials (e.g., SO₂-releasing pads) may be used in long-distance refrigerated shipments where permitted
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest (bunch cutting) -> field heat removal/pre-cooling -> packing (sorting, clamshell/punnet or bulk pack) -> cold storage -> refrigerated transport (sea/road/air depending on lane) -> importer/wholesaler distribution -> retail
Demand Drivers- Strong consumer preference for seedless table grapes in many retail markets
- Year-round retail programs supported by counter-seasonal sourcing
- Convenience packaging (clamshells/punnets) supporting impulse and snack occasions
Temperature- Cold-chain continuity is critical to limit decay and stem dehydration in transit
- Rapid pre-cooling after harvest and maintained refrigerated temperatures through distribution are key quality levers
Atmosphere Control- Modified atmosphere packaging and shipment-level atmosphere management may be used to slow deterioration on long lanes, alongside approved decay-control measures
Shelf Life- Shelf life is typically weeks-scale under optimal refrigeration and decay control, but deteriorates quickly when temperature control breaks or decay initiates
- Retail display life is strongly influenced by stem condition, shatter, and visible decay
Risks
Cold Chain And Decay HighFresh table grapes are highly sensitive to fungal decay (notably Botrytis bunch rot) and to temperature breaks during pre-cooling, storage, and long-distance transport; quality loss can rapidly convert export-grade fruit into claims, discounts, or waste.Tighten harvest maturity and sanitation programs, enforce rapid pre-cooling, maintain continuous refrigeration, and use destination-appropriate decay-control and inspection protocols.
Regulatory Compliance MediumShipments face rejection or detentions when pesticide residues exceed importing-market MRLs or when phytosanitary documentation/treatments are non-compliant, creating sudden financial losses and supply interruptions for retail programs.Implement residue-monitoring programs aligned to destination MRLs, strengthen farm-to-packhouse traceability, and validate phytosanitary requirements per market and season.
Climate MediumHeatwaves, unseasonal rain, hail, and drought can reduce yields and create quality defects (e.g., cracking, berry softening), leading to volatile exportable supply from key origins in a given season.Diversify sourcing across hemispheres and origins, monitor seasonal weather risks, and use protective agronomy measures where viable (netting, irrigation scheduling, canopy management).
Logistics MediumPort congestion, reefer equipment constraints, and inland trucking disruptions can extend transit times and raise spoilage and claims risk for a product with limited tolerance for delays.Contract reliable refrigerated logistics, build schedule buffers, use lane-specific contingency routings, and align inventory and promotions to arrival variability.
Sustainability- Irrigation water dependency and water-stress exposure in several major producing regions
- Pesticide use intensity and compliance pressure due to destination-market residue limits (MRLs)
- Plastic packaging footprint from clamshells/punnets and internal liners in international distribution
- Transport emissions for long-distance supply chains, especially where air freight is used for time-sensitive programs
Labor & Social- Seasonal and migrant labor dependence in harvesting and packing, increasing exposure to wage, housing, and recruitment-compliance risks
- Worker health and safety risks related to agrochemical handling and packhouse conditions
FAQ
How does the global market achieve near year-round availability of fresh Thompson Seedless-type grapes?Year-round availability is supported by counter-seasonal sourcing: Southern Hemisphere exporters (such as Peru, Chile, and South Africa) supply during Northern Hemisphere winter and early spring, while Northern Hemisphere origins (such as India, Egypt, the United States, and Mediterranean Europe) cover spring through autumn.
What are the most important quality and buyer specification factors in international trade for fresh seedless table grapes?Buyers commonly focus on bunch and berry appearance, berry size and firmness, maturity indicators such as soluble solids (°Brix), stem condition, and low tolerance for decay, shatter, and cracking, because these directly affect retail shelf life and claims risk.
What is the single biggest risk that can disrupt the trade value of fresh table grapes on long-distance lanes?Cold-chain breaks and decay (including Botrytis bunch rot) are the biggest trade-value disruptors because grapes have limited tolerance for temperature abuse, and visible decay quickly triggers rejections, discounts, or waste.