As Chile's 2024 table grape campaign is coming to an end in the next two weeks, exports to China are down by 50%, while, due to high prices, the US received more red and white grapes. According to Maria Jose Garcia, from the Joy Wing Mau office in Chile, it has been a slow season. "There is some Red Globe and late Autumn Crisp grapes to be harvested with maybe one or two more weeks and then the season here will end."
Chile had a delayed start to their season. The China market has seen a substantial drop in exports due to low prices and weaker demand. "The market of grapes in China have not been very strong this season. The China market is really lower in prices at the beginning, more so than the US market. White grapes in general are ok in China and at this point of the season has been recovering and having good prices. Red varieties are also kind of good, but black varieties have been very low in terms of price, also because Chile have loaded almost double of this black varieties mainly Sable Seedless," explains Garcia.
According to many Chilean producers and exporters, the US market was on fire for Chilean grapes due to lower volumes from Peru as well as the earlier end to their season. Storage levels at the start of the season in the US were also not as traditionally high as in previous years. "The US market has been very strong, so almost all white and red grapes have gone there."
Garcia says the last small volumes are being harvested in Chile. "The grapes are still going but in very small volumes. In general, the season has been quite delayed," notes Garcia.
For more information:
María José García
Joy Wing Mau Chile
Tel: +56 9 8902 7787
Email: mariajose@freshgo-china.com