Peru's table grape season has started up somewhat later than expected, caused by weather conditions and initial uncertainties around the 10 percent import tariff. "However, the good news is that we've started shipping and are expecting the first arrivals around Thanksgiving," says Antonio Escobar with Divine Flavor. While California will be shipping for a couple more weeks, Escobar expects a demand-exceeding supply situation on green grapes from Peru leading up to the holidays.
© Divine Flavor
Antonio Escobar.
Autumncrisp is preferred
Demand is high for the green Autumncrisp® variety. "It's amazing to witness how this variety has developed into a consumer favorite. Better sizing, crunchiness, and more flavor have increased consumer appetite," he said. It is now the preferred variety amongst the best retailers in the U.S. and because Peru is the largest grower of Autumncrisp grapes in the world, retailers have been demanding more grapes from Peru. From a grower/shipper perspective, the U.S. is an attractive market to ship to. It holds a large consumer base, and transit times are relatively short compared to some other destinations, reducing the risk. As a result, Peru ships about 60 percent of its Autumncrisp volume to the U.S. The majority is conventionally grown, but organic Autumncrisp will be available from week 51 onwards.
The outlook for the Autumncrisp import season is very positive. In Peru, the variety nearly doubled in volume since the 2023/2024 season and according to Provid, the Peruvian Association of Table Grape Producers and Exporters, more than 17 million boxes are projected to ship this season. While Sweet Globe™ is still Peru's largest table grape variety with a projected volume of 22 million boxes, Autumncrisp is catching up and makes up about 20 percent of Peru's total projected volume of 87 million boxes for the 2025/2026 season. "Autumncrisp is a key variety for us, and we believe quality and flavor will drive consumption. This is one of the reasons why Divine is now officially the largest importer of this variety from Peru," shared Escobar.
Supply from newer Nazca region
Autumncrisp grapes are grown in different regions in Peru. Currently, harvest is taking place in the northern Piura growing region, but the main production comes from the Ica region in the south. "This region holds privileged pieces of land that are very suitable to grow Autumncrisp grapes, which has allowed Peru to become the world's largest grower of this variety. In addition, one of Divine Flavor's growing partners has expanded into Nazca. "This season, we will see the second year arrivals from Nazca, a newer growing region that's located south of Ica from our grower partner, Agrolatina." Despite its southern location, Nazca has an earlier harvest window compared to Ica. The microclimate and luminosity allow for excellent quality at great timing in between Piura and Ica windows, which puts this premium grape in North American markets a bit earlier during the month of December.
Peru's table grape production really ramped up in recent years, and volume has increased from 63 million boxes in 2023/2024 to 82 million boxes last season, and a projected volume of 87 million boxes this season. While the season is expected to start out with a supply shortage, volumes are expected to be abundant at the heart of the season, around February. "During that time of year, we expect to see aggressive promotions," said Escobar.
© Divine Flavor
Left: employee of Divine Flavor's grower partner Ecosac shows Autumncrisp grapes. Right: pouch bag with Autumncrisp grapes.
Peruvian partners
For its Peruvian supply, Divine Flavor partners with growers in the different growing regions. "We're partnering with allies who excel in their specific growing region and who understand our quality requirements. Because they understand so well what the U.S. market requires, we are able to provide high-quality Autumncrisp grapes uninterruptedly from Peru, Chile and Mexico between November and June." The partnership isn't just commercially driven, the companies also work together from a technical perspective. "Our growers share intel with each other and visit each other's farms. We're very confident about the group of grower-partners we are working with."
For more information:
Michael DuPuis
Divine Flavor
Tel: +1 (520) 281-8328
[email protected]
www.divineflavor.com
