As of mid August California table grape loadings were 9 million boxes more than at this time last season.
Direct Source Marketing, a distributor from Mount Kisco, NY reports an early start this season has pushed earlier volume this year. Mexico had a similar situation with its grape season ending sooner than normal.
Since California shipped so much fruit so early in the season many growers are projecting to finish the season by Thanksgiving. While some growers will store their best fruit to carry into December, a shortage is anticipated.
The good news is that Peru’s grape season will also start early. Some growers in the northern part of the country have already started harvesting and where most of Piura normally starts in October, this year the region expects to start harvest in mid to late September.
California grape shipments are now peaking. There is plenty of supply, but average daily temperatures of 105F for nearly two weeks is having an adverse impact fruit quality.