Posts Tagged “grape imports”
The United States has solidified its position as a strategic market for table grapes. Over the past 20 years, imports have increased by 27 percent, a direct result of an ongoing upward and dynamic trend driven by marked consumer preference for healthy, high-quality products, according to a report by Latin American industry data broker Fluctuante.
In addition to growing per capita consumption—averaging 8.64 pounds per person in 2023—viral trends and promotional campaigns have led to the incorporation of premium varieties such as Cotton Candy, Sweet Globe, and Candy Dreams into the American market.
As a result, imports have become a crucial element in ensuring product availability throughout the year, consolidating the US as one of the leading table grape buyers and consumers in the world.
The evolution of table grape supplying countries
In 2005, the US imported 611,000 tons of fresh grapes, with Chile, Mexico, Brazil, and Peru as its leading suppliers, said Fluctuante.
But the market has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past twenty years. By 2024, imports reached 777,000 tons, reflecting not only increased consumption but also a reconfiguration of suppliers.
Currently, the US table grape market is distributed among five supplying countries: Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, and South Africa. The first three maintain solid positions, and while Brazil and South Africa inject smaller volumes, they hold solid positions as complementary players, ensuring continuous supply.
Together, this scenario reflects how the market has diversified and become more competitive, driven by the new dynamics of a demanding American consumer.
In 2005, Chile led fresh grape exports to the United States with 439,000 tons. Although shipments fell to 317,000 tons in 2024, the Andean country maintains first place thanks to its off-season production and strategic access to Pacific routes, Fluctuante says. Varietal replacement and the commitment to higher-quality fruit have been key to sustaining Chile’s position in an increasingly competitive market.
Meanwhile, in 2024, Peru moved up to become the second-largest US supplier of fresh grapes, hitting the market with 226,000 tons. This meteoric growth is in part explained by the country’s ability to cover the demand window that peaks during the winter months, when US production slows down. Additionally, Peru has been able to capitalize on delayed Chilean shipments, positioning itself as a reliable alternative to ensure continuity of supply.
Fluctuante says Peruvian success is a result of the country’s favorable agroclimatic conditions, which allow for counter-seasonal production, the expansion of cultivated areas, and the diversification of high-demand varieties such as Sweet Globe. But that’s not all, as Peru’s weather has also helped the country meet with rigorous quality standards required by the US market. The Andean country also features highly efficient logistics chains, which ensure a constant flow of fruit to the American market.
Fueled by the country’s geographical proximity, lower logistical costs, and its ability to supply fruit during strategic months of high demand, Mexico has also strengthened its presence in the US table grape market.
In 2005, the United States imported 153,000 tons of fresh grapes from Mexico. In 2024, this number reached new heights with 214,000 tons, solidifying the country’s position as the third-largest supplier of table grapes to the US.
Additionally, Mexico has a well-established harvest season and production concentrated mainly in Sonora, right by the US-Mexico border, which reinforces the country’s ability to offer consistent and quality shipments.
Divine Flavor LLC of Nogales, AZ is ramping up Southern hemisphere grape volume from Peru, Chile, and South Africa.
The grower-distributor anticipates a strong second-half of the season on premium red and white seedless grapes coming from those regions with their new vineyards in Jalisco, Mexico at Grupo Alta.
The company report the next 6-8 weeks should provide plenty of volume for premium red seedless.
White seedless grape supplies will also continue steadily in decent volumes of Sweet Globe and Autumn Crisp coming from Peru, Chile, and South Africa.
Divine Flavor has been involved with the import deal for the past five years and the company has established strong roots with growers such as Ecosac located in Puira, Peru and Santa Elena and Unifrutti who have growing regions throughout Chile.
The different growing areas complement each other to provide grapes from November through July.
The month of March will see more shipments of specialty varieties such as the company’s Jellyberries and Candy Hearts, followed by the Chilean Muscat Beauty. Divine Flavor will transition to their Jalisco season at Grupo Alta the first weeks of April starting with Timpson, followed by Sweet Globe and Autumn Crisp, all premium white seedless, and finally in this region; Cotton Candy.