Europe
Only Red Seedless Grapes of Brazilian Origin Are Available in W49 on the European Market
In Europe, red seedless grapes of Brazilian origin are the only ones currently sold in W49, at prices between USD 20.00-21.05/5kg box (10x500g boxes), similar to the price of seedless white grapes. However, the prices in the supermarket remained unchanged compared to previous weeks, with the most economical option available at a price of USD 2.11-2.32/500g punnet. Right now, Iris from Brazil is the only variety offered. Black seedless grapes, which are primarily destined for the United Kingdom, are currently unavailable on the European market, at least not in northern Europe and France.
Red-Seeded Grapes of Peruvian Origin Are in Limited Supply in W49 in the European Market
Red-seeded grapes of Peruvian origin, which currently dominate the market in Europe, are in limited supply. In W49, an 8.2kg box of the Red Globe variety grapes is sold for USD 21.05 for the large size and USD 23.16 for the jumbo size. Importers claim the current price is a result of the limited volume, and prices are expected to fall once the Ica area starts to produce. In general, European grape market prices are expected to decline during the Christmas season, when South Africa and India begin shipping in full force.
White Seedless Grape Market Price in Europe Remains Stable and Unchanged in W49
The table grape market price in the EU remains steady and unchanged compared to previous weeks, despite the first arrivals of grapes from South Africa and Namibia. Currently, the supply of domestic grapes on the market is entirely replaced by imported ones. The available varieties in the European market include Sugar Crisp and Autumn Crisp from Brazil, and Early Sweet and Prime from Namibia and South Africa. In W49, the price of white seedless grapes ranges around USD 20.00-21.05/5kg box (10x500g box) for all origins. These prices have also influenced the price of grapes in supermarkets, where they are sold for USD 25.26-28.42/5kg box (10x500g box) and USD 2.53-2.84/500g punnet. The fruit is also of good quality.
Peru
Peru Redirects a Large Part of Its Grape Exports to the US
For the current season, the presence of Peruvian grapes is expected to increase in the United States, something that is evident when seeing the disproportionate increase in shipments already made to that country. In this sense, Greenberg points out that there has been a decrease in shipments to Europe and the United Kingdom and much more fruit is being sent to North America. “Cargoes to the US are up more than 35% from last year, while cargoes to Europe and the UK are down almost 20%,” he says. According to Greenberg, the reason why more grapes are shipped from Peru to the US market is explained because "the US dollar is relatively stronger compared to European currencies and Europe is also facing some economic difficulties due to different reasons, including inflation and the impact of the war in Ukraine”. It should be noted that Peru continues to move away from traditional grape varieties, such as Flame, Thompson, Crimson, and Red Globe (the latter previously dominated the South American country) and now it is betting on new patented varieties, such as Sweet Globe, which represents 20% of Peruvian exports so far this season, Allison, Timco, Autumn Crisp, Sable, and Midnight Beauty. In terms of demand for grapes, October and November saw moderate demand, possibly reflecting late-season quality and conditions in California. Now, however, while the Californian fruit sells for between USD 20 and USD 22, sellers of Peruvian grapes are pushing prices up to between USD 30 and USD 32.
Peru Would Become the World’s Leading Exporter of Table Grapes, Displacing Chile
Chile's exports are projected at 555K MT in this 2022/23 campaign, while Peru's growing production is expected to boost its exports to 585K MT, becoming the world's leading exporter for the first time, according to projections in a December report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Chile's production would be down to 737K MT, falling for the eighth time in 10 years in contrast to Peru's production which has not decreased since at least 2001/02 and is projected in 2022/23 766K MT. Both countries are dependent on exports and are expected to export at least 75% of their productions in 2022/23. From the perspective of the shipping period, the exports of both countries are mostly complementary. Peru comes first with the bulk of shipments from November to February, while most of Chile's exports are made from February to May. However, Peru's growing production continues to expand, even overlapping that of Chile. Seven of Peru's top 10 markets are also top markets for Chile, and both have the US as their main destination, although Chile's market share is eroding. Since 2017/18, Chile's share in the United States dropped from 57 to 41%, while Peru's has grown from 19 to 31%. Chilean growers have faced multiple obstacles over the last 10 years, including floods, frosts, and drought.
Chile
Despite a 2-Week Delay, a Good Start to the Chilean Table Grape Season Is Expected
According to information provided to Simfruit by IQosulting, this 2022/23 season has been affected by a cold spring at the beginning, which has caused delays in the start of harvests in some of the export fruit trees, where table grapes were not spared. Until week 48, ending on December 4, there have been no shipments of this fruit, unlike last season when 37MT had already been exported, corresponding to 4,560 boxes of 8.2 kg eq. During the past year, shipments during week 48 were exclusively red seedless varieties, however, at week 49 white seedless varieties took center stage in shipments. On the contrary, during this 2022/23 season, harvests timidly began on Monday, December 5, in the upper part of Copiapó, at Agrícola Manflas. The first variety to be harvested was Superior (white seedless), while Sweet Globe (white seedless) was scheduled to be harvested on Friday, December 9. It is unlikely that any volume will be dispatched this week, however, space in ships is already committed to loading week 50 of this year. The fruit looks very attractive, there were conditions for a good fruit set and the producers in general took care to thin the berries well. In addition, a greater contribution of the new varieties in exports this year is expected, around 65%, due to the decrease in the area of traditional varieties.
The USDA-APHIS published on December 14 in the Federal Register (Federal Register) the extension of the comment period for the implementation of a Systems Approach for Chilean table grape imports destined for the US market. The extension, as the US entity clarified, arises to give people additional time to prepare and submit observations. It should be recalled that on October 17, 2022, USDA-APHIS published in the Federal Register an announcement regarding the opening of comments for pest risk assessment proposals and an import evaluation document (CIED). All this is to implement a Systems Approach for this Chilean fruit and thus replace the current fumigation process with methyl bromide that must be applied to Chilean grapes that are exported to the US market to avoid the possible presence of pests. “Based on the pest risk assessment and the CIED, we also propose to authorize the importation of grapes from Chile under a systems approach or irradiation for EGVM and B. chilensis; current mitigation measures for Ceratitis capitata, or medfly, would remain unchanged,” USDA-APHIS stated in the notification.
Chilean Table Grape Export Forecast for 2022/23, Over Half From New Varieties
The Chilean Table Grape Committee of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) recently released its third forecast for the export volume of Chilean table grapes during the 2022/23 season. According to the report, Chile will export 66,920,661 boxes (8.2kg/box) of table grapes in the 2022/23 season, declining by 10% from the previous season. New varieties are expected to account for at least half of the total exports, a significant milestone for the Chilean table grape industry and a highlight of the season. Exports of new varieties are forecasted to total 36,251,172 boxes, while exports of traditional varieties and the Red Globe variety are forecasted at 19,513,322 boxes and 11,156,167 boxes, respectively. Notably, the share of Red Globe grapes will wane further this season. According to the projections, among the new varieties, red table grapes consisting mainly of the Timco, Allison, and Sweet Celebration cultivars will take the lead with an estimated export volume of 17,599,994 boxes. Next will be white/green table grapes at 14,125,520 boxes, with ARRA 15, Timpson, and Sweet Globe as the dominant cultivars. Black table grapes cultivars such as Sweet Favors, Sable Seedless, and Sweet Sapphire will account for the smallest volume at 4,525,657 boxes. Concerning export destinations, Ignacio Caballero, marketing director of ASOEX, stated that the United States will continue to be the largest overseas market for Chilean table grapes, receiving around 40M boxes. Asia is predicted to rank second at 15M boxes, followed by Europe at 9M boxes and other destinations including Latin America and the Middle East at 6M boxes.
China
The selling prices of Peruvian Red Globe at the Guangzhou wholesale market were high on December 13, 2022. Less than five containers of Peruvian red globe grapes arrived in the Guangzhou market, and on December 13, only 8 out of 20 pallets were sold due to the high selling prices for 8.2kg wooden boxes. The price of size J stood at USD 28.8–30/box and size JJ stood at USD 33/box.
Peruvian Sweet Globe green grapes face low selling prices and slow sales movement in December 2022. Due to a poor Brix grade and a sour taste, the selling price on December 13, 2022, for size J grapes stood between USD 20.1/7.3kg box, and USD 23-25.9/7.3kg box for size JJ.
South Africa
First South African Grapes Have Arrived in the Markets From Northern Provinces
During the bi-weekly joint marketing forum for South African grapes, the first grapes from the northern provinces arrived on the markets, while grape farms in the Orange River region have not suffered any damage from the recent flooding of the Orange River. The first exported grapes from the northern regions arrived on the markets this week. The product was well received, with good sales figures and good market demand. The yield of earlier varieties will be lower than expected. The weather in W48 was very good, some rain is expected in week 49. In general, the size, health, and quality of the fruit are very good. There are good prospects for mid-season varieties, but a shortage of punnets is currently a major problem. Large volumes of cherries are expected in China around Christmas and New Year. With Peru exporting more grapes to the US, competition in that market has increased. Market insights indicate that it is still prudent to focus on retail programs. The first indications are that consumer demand in Europe may be lower. So far the logistics processes are working well and it is important to ensure maximum visibility of the South African grapes in weeks 44-47. Cape Town Port activity is at an acceptable level with evidence that the port is working faster to resolve challenges. Cape Town Port management has confirmed that the port will remain fully operational throughout the holiday period and will only be closed on Christmas Day. Liner trends suggest markets softened between September and October, but they remain uneven. Market conditions are expected to deteriorate further in 2022/2023.
South African Table Grapes Begin to Arrive in Key EU and UK Markets
Table grapes from the Northern Regions of South Africa have begun to arrive in key markets for table grapes with good reception. It has been confirmed that the recent floods in the Orange river area (W47) have not had any negative effects on the grapes hence growers have not suffered any losses. Grapes are showing good size, health, and quality on arrival, however, the only big issue is the shortage of punnets for packaging. Grapes from the Orange river region have good quality with red grapes coloring up well and expected volumes out of the region should be achieved. Grape competition in the markets has increased with a large volume of cherries expected to arrive. Currently, South America is sending more volume to the US market, which has become more competitive. In the EU, overall demand is still deemed to be lower than last year with the main focus on South African growers fulfilling retail programs. There is an overall positive outlook on operations in South Africa with Cape Town port operating at acceptable levels and will only be closed on Christmas day to ensure that all product arriving is dispatched as soon as possible to the destined markets. Markets are still expected to soften going into 2023 but the increase in available equipment and ships out of South Africa has eased concerns about exporting the fruit timeously. Currently, the mood is upbeat in terms of the current performance of the South African grapes in key markets like the EU and the UK with growers expecting a return to profitability for the coming season.
Starlight Grape’s Early Harvest in South Africa’s Hex Valley Was Halted Due to the Rainy Season
A few growers in the Hex Valley, South Africa, had an early harvest of Starlight Grapes at W49, which was initially planned to be harvested at W51. Harvest and packing operations, which had just begun, were halted due to 110mm of rain on some farms. As a result, farms experienced losses and discontinued packing Starlight, which was destined for export this table grape season.
Spain
Spain Is Satisfied With the Table Grape Season
With the campaign now over, Spain sums up the table grapes and defines the season as "long, difficult, and discreet from an economic point of view". Joaquín Gómez, the president of the association of producers-exporters of fruit, table grapes, and other agricultural products (Apoexpa) stated. Even if there will be bunches that are traditionally consumed on New Year's Eve (Nochevieja), are already resting in cold storage, this year the producers had to face a situation that was far from easy, determined by the international situation with the war in Ukraine, higher production costs and very slow demand with relatively low prices. The president of the exporting producers specified that there are still no definitive figures for the production of seedless grapes, which corresponds to about 75% of the total volume of the sector in Spain, but he anticipated that this year's exports were "slightly higher" than in 2021. The biggest obstacle remains market demand: there is a lack of requests and quotations go down while continuing to increase costs for producers.
The Ministry of Ecological Transition, the Fight against Climate Change and Territorial Planning of the Government of the Canary Islands has approved an increase of USD 730,203.82 in funds for the project 'Improving knowledge of climate change and proposals for climate action measures for the agricultural sector of Canarias', aimed at the protection and sanitation of the cultivation of the vine on the islands. will be developed in collaboration with the regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries.
Dryland Airén Grapes Over 50 Years Old Will Receive Additional Agri-Environmental Aid
The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Francisco Martínez Arroyo, has reported in Tomelloso that next Friday, December 23, about USD 2.77M for 258 viticulturists. These USD 2.77M that the Ministry has ordered to pay will reach the farmers' accounts next Friday: USD 607,092.54 for 74 winegrowers from Albacete; USD 1,159,371.42 for 73 from Ciudad Real; USD 634,212.61 for 87 of Cuenca; and USD 288,242.28 for 24 from Toledo. The counselor has also highlighted that the dryland air, the most native variety of Castilla-La Mancha, and which is over 50 years old, will receive additional agri-environmental aid within the new Rural Development Program (PDR). In this sense, he has expressed the "importance" that the measures to limit the yield and grade of the grape have had in saving water and the sustainability of this deeply rooted crop.
Brazil
The São Francisco Valley is the largest production area of table grapes in Brazil. The region got 300mm of rain in October and heavy rains at the end of November, for up to 50mm in two days, affecting the production of table grapes for this crop.
Colombia
Table Grape Prices Increase in Colombia During W49 as the End-Of-Year Holiday Approaches
Commonly, December is the month when table grapes are most consumed in Colombia, with a high consumption during end of year holidays, especially on New Year's Evening. Domestic prices for table grapes increased by 33% WoW from USD 1.25/kg in W48 to USD 1.66/kg in W49 in the main wholesale market of Colombia.
