“Too many grape varieties cause non-transparent market”

In recent weeks, the grape market was at a good level. “The market is still fairly good, although it is a bit slow and expensive at the moment,” says Conrad Rijnhout from VerDi Import.

“It is exciting to see how the market will further develop. We are now getting batches that are less good, qualitatively, from South Africa. Supply from India is starting to get going with larger volumes than last year, and the first Chilean grapes are en route.”

“A fixed price level for South African grapes cannot be distinguished. Thompson is sold for between 8 and 13 euro, depending on quality. By now, the seedless grape season from South Africa is over, but the red Crimson grape season will last for another five weeks,” Conrad explains.

He is not enthused by the increasing number of grape varieties shipped nowadays. “In the past, you went from Flame grapes to Crimson grapes during the red season. Nowadays, six varieties are offered. For a supermarket buyer it is already becoming a challenge to distinguish all those numbers, just imagine how hard it is for consumers. When too many grape varieties are available, it causes an non-transparent market, in my opinion.”