Market Update for Table Grapes

Week of December 8 – December 14

Peru’s grape exports hit a major stride last week, shipping 2.6 million boxes in week 48—a clear signal that total exports to the U.S. are trending higher. Meanwhile, California’s season is effectively complete, with cold storage inventories now sitting below 4 million cartons. Domestic supply is all but finished, leaving import demand strong on both coasts. Week 48 shipments won’t be available until after Christmas, so we should see the spot market stay elevated through the New Year. Consumer preference continues to lean toward the newer green varieties, creating a sharper shortage versus red seedless. Ica, Peru has been running late, waiting for maturity but volumes will ramp up over the next two weeks, potentially setting up promotional opportunities by mid-January.

Red Seedless

Week 48 red seedless exports from Peru just reached 600K cartons, compared to 1.8 million boxes of green seedless, so you might think spot market pricing would be stronger. Flame seedless are trading between $30.00 and $34.00, with size being the determining factor, while premium varieties like Allison, Timco, and Jack Salute are spot selling from $36.00 to $38.00. Quality is very good, and overall eating experience continues to improve week by week. California will be fully wrapped up on red grapes by the end of this week, which should further boost import demand moving forward. If exports on red grapes don’t pick up over the next two to three weeks, we could be surprised to see the market hold firm through the middle of January.

Green Seedless

Demand for imported green seedless will stay strong this week, with spot prices outpacing contracted programs by a wide margin. Quality from Piura has been good overall, but we are seeing a wide range of Brix – a challenge the industry will deal with until Ica starts shipping better volume. Daytime highs in Ica for the next two weeks hover around 85°F, when growers need much warmer temperatures to positively impact sugar. Currently, the spot market for Ivory and Sweet Globes are trading between $38.00 and $42.00, while preseason program fruit sits nearly $6.00 lower. Premium Autumn Crisp are selling between $46.00 and $50.00, but once larger volumes from Ica begin arriving later this month, pricing should start to normalize, but for now, availability remains extremely tight.