Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh Red Globe table grapes in Austria are primarily supplied through imports, with Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Türkiye among the top recorded suppliers for HS 080610 in 2023 trade statistics. As an EU Member State, Austria applies the EU marketing standard for table grapes (including class definitions and maturity requirements) and EU-wide pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) rules, supported by national monitoring. For third-country origins, consignments are subject to EU plant-health rules and Austrian phytosanitary import controls, including TRACES NT notification and a valid phytosanitary certificate. Distribution into the Austrian market commonly runs through wholesale and logistics networks such as the Vienna Wholesale Market (Großmarkt Wien) before retail and foodservice.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer)
Domestic RoleDomestic table-grape production is not evidenced in the cited sources; Austria functions primarily as a consumer market supplied by imports for this product type.
Specification
Primary VarietyRed Globe (Redglobe)
Physical Attributes- Seeded red table grape variety; large, round berries; large bunches (variety-level description).
Compositional Metrics- EU table-grape marketing standard maturity requirement: minimum refractometric index of 13 °Brix for seeded varieties (with specified exceptions for certain named cultivars).
Grades- EU marketing standard classes: ‘Extra’ Class, Class I, Class II.
- EU marketing standard sizing: minimum bunch weight 75 g (exception for single-serving packages).
Packaging- EU marketing standard: table grapes must be packed to protect produce; packaging materials must be clean and avoid damage; packages must be free of foreign matter (limited vine-shoot fragment exception).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Exporter/producer → (often) EU trading hub and distribution (notably via Italy/Netherlands/Germany trade channels) → Austrian import/wholesale and distribution (including Großmarkt Wien) → retail and foodservice.
Temperature- EU marketing standard requires table grapes to be in a condition that withstands transportation and handling and arrives in satisfactory condition; in practice this typically requires disciplined handling to limit deterioration during transit.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Plant Health HighFor third-country origins, non-compliance with EU/Austrian phytosanitary import requirements (e.g., missing/invalid phytosanitary certificate or failure to notify in TRACES NT in time) can lead to consignment rejection, return, or other enforcement actions, effectively blocking market entry.Confirm consignments are eligible for import; secure a valid phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country and complete TRACES NT pre-notification (including document upload) at least one working day before arrival, aligned with BAES requirements.
Food Safety MediumFresh grapes are subject to EU maximum residue levels (MRLs) and Austrian monitoring; exceedances can trigger market withdrawal actions and notifications through official channels.Use residue-management programs aligned to EU MRLs; apply pre-shipment residue testing and maintain full spray records and lot traceability to support investigations if needed.
Logistics MediumAs a perishable fresh fruit, grapes are sensitive to transit delays and handling damage; disruptions can reduce arrival quality and increase shrink, especially on longer multimodal routes via trading hubs.Plan for contingency routing and buffer lead-times, and use verified handling SOPs (pack integrity, gentle handling, and rapid movement through hubs) to reduce deterioration risk.
Sustainability- Pesticide-residue compliance is a key sustainability and consumer-safety theme for fresh grapes, governed by EU MRL rules and monitored in Austria through national programmes coordinated with EU reporting.
- Quarantine pest prevention is a key plant-health theme for imported fresh fruit, addressed through phytosanitary certification and official controls for relevant third-country consignments.
Standards- GLOBALG.A.P. compliance is commonly requested by European importers/retailers for fresh produce supply (buyer requirement varies by customer and programme).
FAQ
Which countries are the main recorded suppliers of fresh grapes to Austria?In 2023 trade statistics for HS 080610, the top recorded exporters of fresh grapes to Austria included Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Türkiye.
What documents are typically required for importing fresh grapes into Austria from non-EU countries when phytosanitary controls apply?For consignments subject to Austrian phytosanitary import control, BAES states that the goods must be pre-notified in TRACES NT at least one working day before arrival and that documents including the phytosanitary certificate, commercial invoice, and airwaybill must be uploaded for checks.
What quality and maturity rules apply to table grapes sold fresh in Austria?Austria applies the EU marketing standard for table grapes, which sets minimum quality conditions, defines three classes (Extra, Class I, Class II), and includes maturity and sizing rules such as minimum refractometric index thresholds and a minimum bunch weight of 75 g (with an exception for single-serving packages).