In W32 in the grape landscape, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicts a 1.1 million ton increase in global fresh grape production in 2022/23, reaching a new high of 27.3 million tons. China's annual grape harvest is expected to rise by 620 thousand tons to 12.6 million tons, while Turkey's production will increase by 380 thousand tons to 2.2 million tons. The European Union (EU) will increase its output by 161 thousand tons to 1.6 million tons, while Peru's will increase by 50 thousand tons to 766 thousand tons. Chile's production will decrease by 70 thousand tons to 725 thousand tons, while the United States (US) will increase to 811 thousand tons. India's grape production will stabilize at 2.9 million tons.
Persistent drought conditions and elevated temperatures in Spain have necessitated a postponement of the grape harvest, which could potentially result in a decline of around 12% in production. Despite some rainfall in June, the precipitation was inadequate to alleviate the situation, leading to further deterioration of conditions for grape cultivation. The Alto and Medio Vinalopó regions of Alicante, Spain experienced a two-week delay in grape harvest due to heat and rainfall during May-23 and Jun-23. Early grape varieties' yield is projected to decline by 15 to 20%, resulting in nearly 40 million kilograms. The Italian type of grapes was most affected by cold weather, but it is expected to recover.
Egypt, a primary grape exporter in North Africa, is adopting a diversification strategy aimed at penetrating markets in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Interestingly, South Africa, which ranks as the fourth largest global exporter of grapes, has emerged as an unexpected diversification target for Egyptian grape exports, despite its own substantial export volumes. Even though South Africa exports 320 thousand to 410 thousand tons of grapes, it still imports 8 thousand to 10 thousand tons annually. Although significant, this is not as high as the Netherlands, which imports up to 26 thousand tons annually from Egypt and other EU countries.
