Peru
Major Financial Challenges as a Direct Result of the Strikes (Jan 23)
Harvesting, packaging, transport, port and airport activity in Peru come to a near standstill after major protests in the capital Lima and other provincial cities. Some growers, exporters, nurseries and transporters of the main export products (grapes, blueberries, mangoes and avocados) talked about the impact of the riots on their business activity. "It remains quite quiet here, but people are generally more nervous than before," said a grape grower from northern Peru. "There is still a small group of growers harvesting grapes and blueberries. Riots continue in the south and today (Thursday, January 19) will be a difficult day. A protest is planned in the center of Lima. I hope May it remains peaceful."
Tridge Analysis: Political Crisis in Peru Hampers Key Agricultural Exports (Jan 25)
Peru’s political instability has seriously threatened the agriculture industry, particularly exports of key products. In an attempt to dissolve the nation’s Congress in order to prevent his own impeachment, Peru’s president Pedro Castillo was ousted. The impeachment has caused chaos in different regions of the country, in which congress had already declared a state of emergency. As a result, asparagus, grapes, berries, potatoes, and onions have all been vulnerable to the logistic delays that the crisis has caused. Delays have already caused severe disruptions in Peruvian supplies. (Continue Reading)
On January 24, Adam Formica, head of research at Sensonomic, said that the USDA estimated that Peru will export 71M boxes of grapes this season. However, the Association of Table Grape Producers of Peru (Provid) estimated that it will be 73M. Formica explained that these figures may indicate that, despite the political turmoil, there has been little disruption to trade. Another possibility, the executive proposes, is that Peruvian grape production has increased so much this season that export figures have risen despite protests. Since December 2022, there have been various reports of roadblocks, which of course connect the table grape industry to valuable seaports.
News About Grapes From Peru, Chile, and South Africa (Jan 27)
Unrest in the south of Peru has calmed down, allowing harvesting and shipments to resume. The northern zone has finished approximately 90% of its harvest for the 2022/23 season. Ica is approaching the weeks of its greatest harvest. Until W52, Peru has shipped 39.68M boxes of 8.2 kg, 1% more than last season. The northern zone has been responsible for 78% of the shipped volumes and has shipped 13% more volume than last season. The south has sent 25% less. Main varieties until W52 were: Red Globe (21%), Sweet Globe (20%), Allison (10%). Red Globe's total Peruvian shipments are 7.33M boxes of 8.2 kg through W49, 11% less than in the previous season to date. Regarding the Green Seedless, Peru has shipped 18.52M boxes of 8.2 kg up to W52. Of the Red Seedless, Peru has shipped 11.07M boxes of 8.2 kg.
During W52, Chile dispatched 506.81K boxes of 8.2 kg, bringing the total so far this year to 766.95K boxes. Copiapó and Vallenar Valley are in full harvest, while Elqui and Ovalle are reaching their production peak. A new forecast was published on Jan 23, forecasting 67.74M boxes of 8.2 kg for this season, 9% less than last season.
South Africa is currently 42% above world exports. This season it has produced 13.8M boxes. In the northern province, it has rained about 1K mm since the beginning of the season, so the quality and condition of the fruit is being monitored. Sweet Celebration™, Crimson, Autumn Crisp™, Adora™ and Scarlotta™ are being packed, but volumes are expected to decline 17.7% by the end of the season. The consensus among growers in the Orange River area is that they will be profitable due to losses suffered from the October heat wave and untimely rains on mid-season varieties. Later varieties do better, but not enough to make up for early and mid-season production losses. In this area there is still around 10% of the grapes to be harvested. Varieties still available are THS, Adora, Allison™, Magenta, Sweet Celebration, Timco™ and Autumn Crisp.
India
Indian Grape Exporters Frustrated by Weak European Market (Jan 26)
With the European market fearing a recession, exports of Indian grapes have started with some reservations. While most Indian grapes go to West Asia and Bangladesh, the European market pays a higher price. Exporters and growers are now cautious given the long dry spell and the absence of unplanned rains and hailstorms in the grape growing areas of Nashik, Ahmednagar, Pune and some parts of Marathwada. Growers in Maharashtra have reported good quality and quantity of their harvest. But given the slow pace of exports, fears of a price fall are now looming. So far this year, only 157 containers of grapes have left the country with a destination in the EU, with the Netherlands being the main destination for Indian grapes. Last year this was 105K MT, shipped in 7,818 containers.
Germany
More Import of South African Grapes and Slightly Decreasing Grape Import From Peru by Germany (Jan 26)
An extensive and wide range of grapes was available. The increasing shipments from South Africa and slightly declining imports from Peru played the leading role. South African Thompson Seedless grapes were new to the market, in Frankfurt they cost USD 17.36 to 21.71/4.5 kg carton (16 to 20 euros). Imports from Namibia, Brazil and Spain had a more complementary character. According to the BLE, the demand could be met without any problems. Demand had declined in several places, but sales opportunities had improved in some places. Prices therefore developed differently hence there was no clear line to be recognized.
Prices for White Seedless Grapes in Germany Have Been Decreasing Since W1 (Jan 27)
Typically in W3 & W4, prices in Germany for white seedless grapes saw a slight increase when stable demand for snackable fruit met a decreasing supply from Peru and South Africa. Earlier this winter, wholesale prices for white seedless grapes were up to 25% more expensive YoY. This year however, average prices have been steadily decreasing since W1 and are now on average only 10% more expensive than last year, which can be explained by the generally high inflation in Germany. Prices for white seedless grapes in W4 stood between USD 17.39-21.73/4.5kg box and were expected to get cheaper.
Moldova
What Pushes up the Price of Grapes at the End of January? (Jan 25)
In the last ten days of January, wholesale prices for table grapes of all kinds increased on average by USD 0.05-0.10/kg (1-2 lei/kg), which is 5-7%, on the Moldovan market. Market operators believe that in the second half of January, the main stimulus for the rise in the price of grapes is not high export demand, but a change in the supply/demand conjuncture of this product for retail sales within Moldova.
In 2022, Moldova Dramatically Increased Grape Exports to the Main Markets in the EU (Jan 26)
Specialists of the Association of Grape Producers and Exporters of Moldova note that, compared to the previous year, in 2022, the supply of Moldovan table grapes to Romania almost doubled, up to 21K MT, and tripled to Poland, up to 4.5K MT. The export of this product to Latvia amounted to 1.6K MT, while in previous years it did not exceed 100MT. These top three countries accounted for about 90% of the total supply of grapes from Moldova to the European Union. At the same time, despite the Russian embargo, in 2022 Moldovan exporters failed to shift the ratio of the export flow of grapes from the CIS to the EU. As in previous years, it was about 60/40.
Poland
Polish Wholesale Market Prices for Fruit and Vegetables in W3 (Jan 25)
The general consensus in the Polish market was that volumes of fresh fruit and vegetables were expected to be average. The following were grape transaction prices on January 22, 2023, in the Bronisze Wholesale market:
- Red Globe grapes Chile: USD 24.28/8.2kg (PLN 105/8.2kg)
- White grapes Chile: USD 27.75/8.2kg (PLN 120/8.2kg)
Russia
Russian Scientists Have Created a Device for Growing Grafted Planting Material of Grapes (Jan 27)
Specialists of the Crimean Federal University (KFU) named after V. I. Vernadsky developed a mobile stratification chamber for growing grafted planting material of grapes, which can be used in small nurseries and farms without building a specialized grafting complex. The module is autonomous and has no analogues in the Russian Federation, the Russian Ministry of Education and Science reported. Stratification (germination) is the most critical stage in the production of standardized grafted grape planting material used in modern farms. The mobile chamber created by scientists can accommodate 4.3K seedlings. The module is equipped with linear lighting and water supply systems, ventilation, and measuring instruments. All processes can be controlled both manually and automatically in accordance with pre-set hardware settings.
Colombia
Prices for Imported Red Globes Grapes Decreased in Colombia During W2 (Jan 28)
In Colombia, the price of red globe grapes decreased in thirteen of the sixteen wholesale markets during W2. The decrease is due to the lower demand for the product from La Unión (Valle del Cauca) and the end-of-year festivities. In Manizales, grapes sold at USD 1.68/kg (COP 7,700), a decrease of 18.9% compared to W1.
