Mexican table grape loadings started about two weeks early this spring and will be ending the season a couple of weeks early as well, according to Pandol Bros. of Delano, CA. Total volume also has been reduced from earlier forecasts.
Sonora Mexico loadings got underway in late April and are predicted to be finished the last half of June. As of May 19 about one-third of the crop had been harvested.
The first 10 to 14 days of the season, product hardly moved as retailers were still selling Chilean grapes. This resulted in very little Mexican product was selling during that time, and inventory started to accumulate at the border in Nogales, AZ Pandol reported. Around May 12 – 15, retailers finally started transitioning and since then, shipping volumes have been normal.
The grower/shipper noted yields have been disappointing and volume estimates have been revised down. The initial pre-season estimate was 18.2 million cartons, down from 22.7 million in 2025. However, revised estimates are in the 15-16 million carton range. Last year, the season was interrupted by rain on June 5, which caused production to drop and forecasts were adjusted downward. This year’s initial estimate was already lower than last year’s post-rain estimate and the revised 2026 estimates are even lower.
The market prefers grapes from Central California’s San Joaquin Valley and is eagerly waiting for the region’s harvest to begin around June 20 – 25, Pandol observes. Overall, Pandol Brothers expects to be finished shipping from Nogales before July 3rd.