Market
In the United States, fresh Moon Drops grapes are a trademarked specialty table grape marketed by Grapery, Inc. Supply is concentrated in California, which produces the vast majority of U.S. table grapes, with Moon Drops promoted as available from late August to late November within the broader California table grape season. The product is positioned as a premium snack grape sold through mainstream U.S. retail and club channels. Maintaining quality is highly dependent on disciplined cold-chain handling and decay control practices common to U.S. table grape distribution.
Market RoleMajor producer and domestic consumer market (California-dominant table grape production)
Domestic RolePremium, branded specialty table grape sold into U.S. retail and club-store channels under the Moon Drops trademark (Grapery, Inc.)
SeasonalityCalifornia table grapes are marketed seasonally (generally May through January), while Grapery markets Moon Drops as a late-season specialty variety available from late August to late November.
Risks
Phytosanitary HighU.S. market access for imported table grapes can be blocked, delayed, or made significantly more costly if USDA APHIS ACIR requirements are not met; requirements may include pest-focused systems approaches and/or treatments (APHIS has highlighted risks such as European grapevine moth and Chilean false red mite in table grape import updates).Screen admissibility and required measures in APHIS ACIR before contracting; align NPPO phytosanitary certification and treatment/systems-approach records with the specific ACIR pathway for the origin.
Food Safety MediumImported fresh grapes are subject to FDA Prior Notice, and importers may be subject to FSMA FSVP requirements; documentation or supplier-verification gaps can trigger holds, examination, or other enforcement actions at entry.Submit Prior Notice within required time windows and maintain an importer FSVP program and records appropriate to the product and supplier.
Climate MediumMoon Drops supply is tied to California table grape production, which is irrigation-dependent and exposed to drought-driven water-supply constraints and curtailments that can disrupt yields, sizing, and cost structure.Plan procurement with drought/water-allocation scenarios; diversify within California production windows and maintain contingency sourcing for substitute black table grape SKUs if Moon Drops volumes tighten.
Labor & Safety MediumCalifornia heat illness prevention requirements apply to outdoor agricultural work; noncompliance can result in enforcement actions, work stoppages, and reputational risk during peak harvest and packing periods.Maintain and audit an Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention program (water, shade, rest, training, and written procedures) and document compliance during high-heat periods.
Logistics MediumTable grapes have a narrow quality-maintenance window: UC Davis recommends -1 to 0°C and high RH, and highlights strong sensitivity of market life to temperature management and decay susceptibility (including Botrytis). Cold-chain breaks can rapidly translate into decay, shatter, and claims.Hold and ship at recommended temperature/RH; use appropriate decay-control protocols (e.g., SO2 approaches where used) and minimize rough handling through packing and distribution.
Sustainability- California irrigation dependence for grape production and exposure to drought-driven water-supply constraints and curtailments in key basins
Labor & Social- Heat illness prevention compliance for California outdoor agricultural workplaces (water, shade, rest, training, and written program expectations)
FAQ
When are Moon Drops grapes typically available in the United States?Grapery promotes Moon Drops as available from late August through late November in the U.S. retail market, within the broader California table grape season (generally May through January).
What temperature and humidity are recommended to maintain fresh table grape quality in U.S. distribution?UC Davis recommends storing grape berries at about -1 to 0°C (30–32°F) and 90–95% relative humidity to support quality and reduce postharvest losses.
What are the key U.S. compliance checkpoints for importing fresh table grapes?Key checkpoints include meeting USDA APHIS commodity-specific requirements in the ACIR system (which can include pest-related systems approaches or treatments depending on origin), submitting FDA Prior Notice before arrival, and maintaining any required FSMA Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) documentation if you are a covered importer.