1. Weekly News

Chile

Chile Opens New Phytosanitary Inspection Site to Increase Grape Exports

Chile has inaugurated a new phytosanitary inspection site in the Atacama Region to facilitate exports to the United States (US) under the Systems Approach protocol. Spanning 3.65 thousand square meters (m²) with 30 inspection tables, the facility strengthens compliance with international standards, benefiting producers and exporters. The Atacama Region cultivates 7.1 thousand hectares (ha) of table grapes, yielding approximately 89.06 thousand tons, with 49.2%, around 43.80 thousand tons, exported to the US. Backed by Frutas de Chile and the Regional Government, this investment is expected to enhance logistics, reduce costs, and bolster the global competitiveness of Chilean grapes.

Chile's Table Grape Season Begins with Early Varieties and Quality Enhancements

The Chilean table grape season is expected to begin with early varieties like Sweet Celebration, Sweet Jubilee, and Timpson, targeting primary export markets in the US, Europe, and the United Kingdom (UK). A prominent exporter specializing in high-quality Chilean table grapes will see the US take a larger share of its grapes in 2025, driven by increased volumes and rising demand for seedless varieties. The adoption of the Systems Approach, introduced last year, has enhanced fruit quality, extended shelf life, and streamlined logistics by replacing methyl bromide fumigation with source-based mitigation measures. These improvements strengthen Chile’s competitive edge against other Southern Hemisphere suppliers, fostering better market conditions and higher repeat sales.

India

India Strengthens Global Grape Market Position with Technology-Driven Export Strategies

India exported 343.9 thousand metric tons (mt) of fresh grapes worth USD 417.07 million in the 2023/24 season, with Maharashtra leading production at over 67%, followed by Karnataka at 28%. The Nashik region has been instrumental in this growth as farmers embrace advanced technologies like real-time monitoring systems to improve grape quality. Export-quality grapes fetch higher prices than those sold locally, improving farmers' incomes and attracting rural youth to agriculture. By integrating export-focused strategies with technology-driven cultivation, India continues to strengthen its position in the global grape market.

Peru

Peru Maintains Lead as World's Top Fresh Grape Exporter in 2023/24 Season

For the third consecutive year, Peru has remained the world's leading exporter of fresh grapes, surpassing Chile. In the 2023/24 season, Peru exported 595 thousand tons, 40 thousand tons more than Chile’s 555 thousand tons, driven by strong production growth. The US remains Peru’s top market, accounting for 47% of exports, followed by the Netherlands with 11%, Hong Kong with 6%, Mexico with 6%, and China with 5%. Strategic initiatives, such as export promotion policies and the development of the Chancay mega port, have further strengthened Peru’s global market presence. Favorable climatic conditions continue to support the country's grape industry, reinforcing its status as a top agricultural exporter alongside blueberries and avocados.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s Grape Exports More Than Double in 2024

Uzbekistan exported 219.2 thousand tons of grapes in 2024, more than doubling the previous year’s volume and generating USD 186.2 million in export revenue. Russia remained the largest market, importing 174.9 thousand tons, followed by Kazakhstan with 21 thousand tons and Kyrgyzstan with 15.4 thousand tons. Additional shipments went to Belarus with 6.9 thousand tons and Ukraine with 334 tons. This sharp increase highlights Uzbekistan’s expanding role in international markets, particularly within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region, as the country strengthens its agricultural exports and market reach.

2. Weekly Pricing

Weekly Grape Pricing Important Exporters (USD/kg)

Yearly Change in Grape Pricing Important Exporters (W5 2024 to W5 2025)

Chile

In W5, Chile's grape prices rose by 42.5% week-on-week (WoW) to USD 0.95 per kilogram (kg), with a 21.79% year-on-year (YoY) increase due to a reduction in supply as the peak harvest period began to wind down, leading to a more balanced market. Additionally, strong demand in key export markets like the US and Europe, coupled with high-quality grapes thanks to favorable weather and the continued implementation of the Systems Approach, contributed to the price rise. However, there is a 13.64% month-on-month (MoM) decline due to the previous surge in supply during W4, which resulted in an oversupplied market that temporarily pressured prices downward.

Peru

Peru's grape prices declined by 15.12% WoW to USD 0.66/kg in W5. This drop was accompanied by a 32.65% MoM decrease and a 29.79% YoY drop. The price reduction is due to a continued influx of fresh grapes as the harvest season reaches its peak. The higher availability of varieties like Sweet Globe and Red Globe led to increased competition among exporters, intensifying downward pressure on prices. Additionally, logistical challenges at the Port of Callao and ongoing container shortages compounded the issue, delaying shipments and increasing costs, which further contributed to the overall price drop. Despite ongoing demand for high-quality varieties, these challenges have weighed on the market, causing price fluctuations.

South Africa

In South Africa, grape prices fell by 23.43% WoW to USD 1.24/kg in W5, with a 12.68% MoM drop and a 4.62% YoY decline due to an increase in supply from the ongoing harvest, particularly from key regions. The large volumes of early-ripening varieties entering the market led to oversupply, putting downward pressure on prices despite strong export demand.

India

Grape prices in India fell by 30.43% WoW and MoM to USD 0.64/kg in W5 due to the start of the new harvest season, which has led to a temporary oversupply in the market. As fresh grapes from the 2024/25 harvest begin to flood the market, the price adjustment reflects the seasonal increase in supply. However, there is a 4.92% YoY increase due to the continued growth in export demand, particularly from key markets, driven by higher-quality grapes from regions like Nashik and the adoption of advanced technologies by farmers. This trend has helped improve farmers' incomes and maintain a stronger position in global markets.

3. Actionable Recommendations

Expand Grapes Exports to New Markets

Uzbekistan’s grape exporters should target new markets beyond the CIS region to continue building on the success of the 2024 export surge. By diversifying into untapped regions, exporters can reduce reliance on a few countries and increase overall revenue. The focus should be on strengthening brand recognition and showcasing the high quality of Uzbekistan’s grapes in emerging markets like the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Capitalize on Early Table Grape Exports

Chile’s table grape exporters should focus on maximizing the potential of early varieties like Sweet Celebration, Sweet Jubilee, and Timpson by targeting increased demand in the US, Europe, and the UK. By leveraging the improved Systems Approach, exporters can enhance fruit quality and shelf life, ensuring that these markets receive top-tier products. In particular, WHM Fresh should focus on growing its share in the US market by emphasizing seedless varieties and maintaining logistics efficiency to secure repeat sales.

Sources: Tridge, Diariodecuyo, Freshplaza, Indiaseatradenews, Portalfruticola, Uz Kursiv