Posts Tagged “Chilean grape exports”
Peru officially became the leading table grape exporter in the world in 2023, taking the top spot once held by Chile and commanding 16% of the global trade for this commodity. Now, holding the second place, the Chilean industry is betting on varietal change to make a comeback.
The Chilean Table Grape Committee posted its first 2024 estimate in late October, projecting over 60 million 180-pound boxes to be harvested this upcoming season. With harvest underway in most producing regions, projections remain optimistic.
Uvanova reports the central producing regions are significantly early, particularly in shorter vegetative cycle cultivars such as the white Superior and Thomson varieties.
Uvanova is Chile’s research commission for table grape development, looking to identify challenges and bring solutions to the industry.
Uvanova is estimating volumes of 62 million boxes, Cruz warns that yields could be later and lower than expected due to higher temperatures.
As for exports, Uvanova sees a possible increase.
During the second week of the season, three million boxes were shipped. This compares to 1.9 million boxes a year ago. In terms of percentage exported to date, Chile has exported about the 60 million boxes or 5 to 8% of the total.
The Table Grape Committee of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) has released its first estimate for the 2023-24 season, projecting five percent growth in exports. This is based on information provided by the Committee’s member companies, which represent 82% of Chile’s total table grape shipments.
The Committee is forecasting 63,780,328 18-pound boxes. As ASOEX President Iván Marambio states, “This projected growth is due primarily to an increase in the production of new varieties, which will represent 63% of Chile’s total fresh grape exports this season, close to 40 million boxes.”
The Committee projects that within the next two years, 70% of grape shipments will consist of new varieties. This is a significant increase from 55% during the 2022-23 season.
The U.S. continues to be the main destination market for Chilean table grapes, despite challenges that are delaying the approval of the Systems Approach protocol for exports. For the upcoming 2023-24 season, the U.S. is projected to take 56% of overall shipments. Asia and Europe follow with 19% and 16%, respectively.
The Committee’s coordinator, Ignacio Caballero, notes that green grapes will experience the most growth. “We expect an increase of 16% in green grape volume over the previous season, with impressive increases in Sweet Globe, Autumn Crisp and Arra 15 varieties,” he states.
Exports of green grape varieties are projected to be around 22.9 million boxes, of which 74.4% will be new varieties.
Shipments of red varieties are expected to exceed 24.9 million boxes, of which 74.1% will correspond to new varieties. Timco, Allison, and Sweet Celebration are some of the main standouts among the red varieties.
As for black grapes, exports will be around 6 million boxes, with 76.5% new varieties, including Sable Seedless, Sweet Favors, and Sweet Sapphire.
The first shipments of Chilean grapes are scheduled for mid-November.
A 9.7% decrease from last season in table grape shipments is forecast by
Chile’s Association of Fruit Exporters (ASOEX) .
ASOEX reports the fifth estimate of the Table Grape Committee projects a significant increase in shipments of new varieties.
Shipments are expected to reach 67.1 million boxes of 8.2 kilos. This is a 9.7% drop compared to the 2021-2022 season, and a slight decrease with respect to the Committee’s fourth estimate of almost 1%.
The industry is optimistic about quality due in large part to new varieties, totalling 54% of total grape shipments for the upcoming season.
The new forecast exports predicts 67.1 million boxes. Of this amount, 36 million boxes will be of new varieties, while 19.5 million boxes will consist of traditional varieties.
The Chilean table grape industry is changing, which is highlighted this season, with the production increase of new varieties and improving quality.
In the 2012-2013 season, Chile exported more than 27 million boxes of Red Globe grapes and traditional grapes reached 75.6 million boxes. While in the same period, new varieties accounted for only 1.8 million boxes.
In the case of new red varieties, exports are expected to reach 18.4 million cases, including Timco, Allison, Sweet Celebration, Scarlotta Seedless, Arra 29, Jack Salute, Candy Hearts, and Ralli Seedless.
New white grapes are expected to ship 13.6 million cases, including Arra 15, Timpson, Sweet Globe, Autumn Crisp, Blanc Seedless and Cotton Candy.
Meanwhile, exports of new black grape varieties are expected to total 4.4 million cases, including Sweet Flavors, Sable Seedless, Sapphire, Maylen and Midnight Beauty.
The Table Grape Committee of ASOEX (Chilean Fruit Exporters Association) has released its fourth export forecast for the 2022/23 season. It shows a 1.2 per cent increase from the previous forecast, with exports estimated at 555,483 tons, equivalent to 67.742 million (8.2kg) boxes.
Although slightly higher than December’s estimate, the new forecast shows a decrease of 8.9% from 2021/22. This is largely the result of varietal replacement within the table grape industry in Chile.
North America will continue to be the main destination for Chilean grapes, taking around 37.2 million boxes, followed by Asia with almost 14 million boxes and Europe with 9 million boxes.
ASOEX president Iván Marambio commented: “Our new estimate shows a slight increase from December, driven by an increase in exports of new varieties, especially white and red, versus a decrease in shipments of traditional varieties. It’s great news that the industry’s commitment to varietal renewal is beginning to be seen in our shipments, because consumers will be able to enjoy better tasting, higher quality Chilean grapes.”
The committee’s coordinator, Ignacio Caballero, stated that new varieties will account for almost 37 million boxes, while traditional varieties, including Red Globe, will make up around 31 million boxes this season.
“More than 50 per cent of grape exports will consist of new varieties, especially in white and red grapes. The new white varieties will exceed 13 million boxes, black varieties 4 million boxes and red varieties 18 million.”
Arra 15, Timpson, Sweet Globe, Autumncrisp, Blanc Seedless and Cotton Candy are among the main new white varieties. The standout black varieties include Sweet Favors, Sable Seedless, Sweet Sapphire, Maylen and Midnight Beauty, while Timco, Allison, Sweet Celebration, Scarlotta Seedless, Arra 29, Jack Salute, Candy Hearts and Ralli Seedless are among the main players for newer red varieties.
In the third estimate of the season, Chile’s ASOEX’s Table Grape Committee has further reduced the export forecast.
The Committee now expects volumes to reach 66.9 million boxes, which is 10% lower than last season and 2.5% lower than the second estimate.
“The decrease is due to a varietal reconversion that the industry has been doing for some time and that is today beginning to see its fruits, since more than 50% of exports will be of new varieties,” said Ivan Marambio, president of ASOEX.
The executive added that it has been more than a decade since “the sector began with this effort, and this season will mark a milestone in terms of volumes in exports of our grapes”.
For the upcoming season, Chile will send 36.3 million boxes of new varieties and 19.5 million boxes of traditional varieties. In addition, 11.2 million boxes of Red Globe will also be shipped. This particular variety is increasingly losing ground in exports, dropping 25% this season compared to last year.
Among the new varieties, red varieties lead shipments with 17.6 million boxes, where Timco, Allison and Sweet Celebration stand out. White varieties follow with 14.1 million boxes, especially ARRA 15, Timpson and Sweet Globe.
Finally, the new black varieties with 4.5 million boxes, are led by Sweet Favours, Sable Seedless and Sweet Sapphire.
Regarding destinations, Ignacio Caballero, Coordinator of the Committee, said that “the U.S. will continue to be our main market. We are estimating that close to 40 million boxes will be destined for this market, 15 million will be delivered to Asia, while 9 million will go to Europe, followed by 6 million to other destinations such as Latin America and the Middle East.”
Caballero also indicated that “estimates fluctuate based on external variables that affect the volume, availability, dates and destinations of our grapes, such as weather conditions, freight, availability of workers and other global logistical variables external to the sector. According to the Committee’s plan, we will deliver a fourth estimate at the end of December”.
A drop of about 7% in Chilean table grape production and exports may occur this season, according to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service annual report on Chilean deciduous fruit.
In the marketing year 2022-23, USDA’s FAS Santiago office estimates table grape production will decrease by 7.1%, totaling 732,000 metric tons.
The decrease in production is a result of a decrease in table grape area planted. Planted table grape area decreased from 133,068 acres in 2011-12 to 106,500 acres in 2021-22.
For the marketing year 2022-23, the report said planted table grape area is expected at 105,000 acres, a 1.4% decrease from 2021-22.
“According to industry contacts, production of new varieties is taking the place of traditional varieties such as red globe,” the report said. “While new varieties like Allison, Arra-15, Timco, and Sweet Celebration are growing in area, more traditional varieties are decreasing at a faster rate.”
Table grape production is trending downwards because of drought and competition from more profitable crops.
Drought has caused a decline in table grape production in recent years, the report said, and the lack of water is considered a structural problem that will persist in the upcoming marketing years.
“Notably, rainfall in marketing year 2022-23 was abundant and may have mitigated more serious declines in grape production; however, those gains are not expected to be long-term,” the report said.
The most recent data from the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture’s Office of Policy and Studies shows a decrease in the planted area across all regions.
The USDA said the decrease in planted area is especially high in the Valparaiso region, where walnuts and citrus have replaced some of the planted table grape area, and in the O’Higgins region, where more profitable crops like cherries and walnuts are growing in planted area.
The USDA said Chilean grape exports will decrease by 7.1%, according to the report, totaling 565,000 metric tons.
Last season saw a 15.7% increase in Chilean table grape exports, the report said, totaling 608,110 metric tons.
Between March and May in 2022, table grape exports increased significantly over the same period in 2021.
Delays at both Chilean and international ports were longer from February to April. In March 2022, the Chilean Fruit Producers Association (FEDEFRUTA) requested priority at the Chilean port of Valparaiso for table grapes, due to the overwhelming demand for cargo and the perishable nature of their products.
During March and April of 2022, Chilean exporters reported delays in the port of Philadelphia, which was caused by the requirement for methyl bromide fumigation. The delays caused fines, demurrage, and decreased quality of some of the shipments that were delayed for long periods of time, the report said.
The U.S. is the main market for Chilean table grape exports and shipments, accounting for about half of Chilean grape exports. Shipments to the U.S. in 2021-22 increased by 21.7% to 310,033 metric tons.
China is the second largest market for Chilean table grapes, buying about 77,610 metric tons in 2020-21, or about 12.8% of total Chilean grape exports, the report said. Chilean exporters expect shipments of red globe and other red seedless varieties to China to remain strong in 2022-23, the report said.
APPLES AND PEARS
The USDA report estimates Chilean apple production at 1.03 million metric tons, a 0.6% decrease from last season based on lower planted area. Apple exports will total 605,000 metric tons in 2022-23, a 0.8% decrease from last season.
“Higher yields in the marketing year 2022-23 should offset some of the reduction in planted area and thus exports volume is expected to decrease very slightly,” he said.
The declining trend in planted pear area, will mean Chilean pear exports will decrease by 2.6% and total 112,000 metric tons.
“Pear producers face low margins compared to other crops and increasing costs have limited the planted pear area growth,” the report said. “However, existing pear producers are very efficient, and can export and obtain profits.”
The Chilean Exporters Association has released its first estimate for table grapes for the up coming season.
The estimate shows 70.6 million 8.2 kg. boxes, a 5.7% reduction from last season. However, it is still early in the season and variables such as weather and logistics could impact total volume.
Shipments of new varieties are expected to exceed 36 million boxes, followed by traditional varieties with more than 22 million boxes, and Red Globe with a little more than 12 million boxes. The Chilean table grape industry is focusing on new varieties, which arrive in better condition.
The first estimate shows a significant volume of red grapes, exceeding 28 million boxes, which are highly desired by international markets such as the United States and Asia. Green varieties exceed 23 million boxes, followed by Red Globe with more than 12 million and black varieties with just over 6 million boxes.
The president of The Chilean Fruit Exporters Association, Iván Marambio, together with Ignacio Caballero, Coordinator of the Table Grape Committee and Director of Marketing of ASOEX, announced a strategic plan for a newly formed grape committee. This is an important step in enhancing the competitiveness of Chile’s grape industry in international markets.
In July, the ASOEX Board of Directors ratified the formation of a new Table Grape Committee, to generate strategies to face the various challenges that have been affecting this sector for some time. “Last season was one of the most complex for the Chilean fresh fruit industry, but especially for the grape sector. We formed the Chilean Table Grape Committee to generate a strategic plan to improve quality and strengthen our competitiveness in international markets. The industry is committed to working together as a sector. As the world’s premier supplier of table grapes, we will move forward with greater force than ever,” Caballero stated.
He indicated that the strategic plan includes three pillars:
- Lead, coordinate, unite and communicate
- Improve the condition of the fruit
- Improve competitiveness
Caballero added that, to achieve these pillars, “the Committee has established 16 initial actions, among which the development of an estimation program stands out, in order to deliver accurate and ongoing updates on export volumes throughout the season. This is already being implemented, with the first estimate ready.”
He added that the Committee will release at least four estimates during the 2022-2023 season. A second will be delivered on October 21, a third at the end of November and a fourth at the end of December 2022.
Ivan Marambio, President of ASOEX, released the first 2022/23 export estimate of the Chilean grape industry from ASOEX Table Grape Committee. The estimate was built with information provided by 40 companies representing 68% of the total exported during the 2021-2022 season. All are members of the grape committee.
A significant increase in Chilean blueberry exports are expected this season, while Chilean grape exports could see a small decline. Additionally, with more volume in Chilean cherry exports, this should translate into more fruit from that South American country arriving on U.S. shores.
The Chilean Fresh Fruit Association reports grapes easily account for the largest Chilean fruit export to the U.S., representing nearly 40 percent of all the Chilean fruit shipped here. A drought in Chile is being blamed for an expected slight decrease in export volumes. Official estimates for the 2019-20 season are only 1.6 percent lower than last season.
It is estimated that about 78.5 million boxes will be exported to the U.S. this year, which, which would mean only about 1.3 million boxes less than the previous season. Blueberries, cherries and the stone fruits are expected to make up the difference over the next four to five months.
In 2017-18 there were 6.2 million boxes of Flame Seedless exported to the United States, while last season (2018-19) volume dropped to 2.1 million boxes. Flame Seedless has been an industry standard for decades but is being replaced with newer varieties such as Timco and Allison. Timco volume grew by 61 percent and Allison by 72 percent in the past year.
Chilean grape shipments began in late December and should increase through January and continue into May.
Cherries from Chile have been in the U.S. marketplace for a couple of months with shipments continuing and increasing through January. The vast majority of Chilean cherries are exported to China.
Chilean fruit companies are projecting that they will export about 42 million five kilogram cartons this year, which will represent a 16 percent increase over last season.
North America receives about 60 percent of Chilean blueberry exports. With organic “blues,” North America accounts for 96 percent the Chilean exports. Chilean fresh blueberry exports are expected to grow by about 4 percent during the 2019-20 season led by organics.
Chilean stone fruits account for less than 10 percent of the country’s fruit exports to the U.S.
This can be one of the more frustrating times of the year for produce haulers. Even though spring officially arrives tomorrow, good volume for spring produce shipments are still weeks away. Here’s a look at loading opportunties around the country.
Imported Chilean green grape arrivals by boat at U.S. ports will decline in the next week or two as South American green grape volume is estimated to be 25 percent lower than last year by season’s end. On the positive side, the Chilean red crimson grapes are now entering peak arrivals at U.S. ports for the rest of March and early April. Overall, as of early March, Chilean grape exports were 22 percent lower than last year at the same time.
Arrivals of Chilean asian pears to U.S. ports are expected to be off 60 percent this season. The lower volume will continue to arrive through May.
Florida Produce Shipments
In Florida, strawberry shipments from the Plant City area are averaging about 500 truckloads per week. Out of Central and Southern Florida, the state is averaging about 750 truckloads weekly of mature green and roma tomatoes. South Florida also is shipping moderate amounts of items ranging from celery to potatoes.
South Florida produce – grossing about $3000 to New York
Nogales Produce Shipments
Mexican produce shipments through Nogales, AZ continues for items ranging from tomatoes to cucumbers, peppers and watermelons. Overall Mexican volume through Nogales should start declining as we enter April.
Mexican produce crossing through Nogales – grossing about $3600 to Chicago.