This season’s Peruvian table grape harvest kicked off at the end of October. The peak period of the Peruvian table grapes harvest is expected to begin in early December and will continue until March or April. The arriving table grapes received great reactions in Guangzhou Jiangnan markets and the price is stable.
IFG is a premium fruit-breeding company with more than 45 table grape varieties. Every year IFG’s licensed growers in Peru export more than two million boxes of IFG™ table grapes varieties to China and increasing.
Grace Marquez is IFG’s Commercial Manager for Peru and Ecuador. She first introduced the conditions in the Peruvian production area. “High humidity during the flowering period presented a challenge this year in the northern region of Peru. However, production volumes for our Sweet Globe™ variety look solid, and we estimate around 5 million boxes for the north and 5 million boxes in the southern production region where weather conditions have been more normal.” Marquez added, “Last year, Peru exported 8.5 million boxes (8.2 kg eq) of IFG table grape varieties, and this year, we expect approximately 10 million boxes, which is 17% higher compared with 2020.”
IFG’s licensed growers in Peru have already begun exporting table grape varieties to China. “Sweet Globe™ grapes are our largest exported variety, with approximately 1.5 million boxes. This variety consistently has good quality fruit year after year. Our growers understand how to manage the variety in the field and during post-harvest handling to deliver excellent quality fruit and minimize stem dehydration,” said Marquez.
The first harvest of fruit from Piura arrived in the Guangzhou market with high expectations and prices. “In the following weeks, other IFG™ table grape varieties such as Sweet Favors™, Jack´s Salute™, Cotton Candy™ and Sweet Sapphire™ will be exported to China as well.”
Since last year, fruit traders have faced multiple challenges such as slow market movement, high shipping costs and a long duration for customs’ clearance. Marquez shared her insight, “Though fruit imported to the Chinese market has moved slowly due to Covid-19, Peru’s export market has been satisfactory with higher prices than the 2019-2020 season.” Marquez explained, “Last season the IFG™ table grape variety Sweet Globe™ gained the reputation as a premium product in the Chinese market. This season has presented some concerns due to logistical issues, however, our licensees have not had any reported problems.”
When asked about her market expectation of this season, Marquez explains, “Peru is in the beginning of its season, making it difficult to measure the market reaction at this time. However, according to our licensees, the market is going very well with good prices. The first table grapes to arrive in China have seen a strong market so far. There has also been a strong demand in the US and European markets with a solid price.”
With a higher consumption, Chinese consumers are looking for diversified varieties, with a demand for higher quality fruits with excellent taste. IFG's licensed growers export more than 20 table grape varieties every year. When asked about which Peruvian table grape variety is preferred by Chinese consumers, Marquez explained, “In China, our Sweet Globe™ table grape is most popular among local consumers. We see this variety as our queen, with a consistent quality supply and positive perception from importers and buyers. This variety is also arriving from Australia, South Africa, and Chile later in the year, helping to close any supply and demand gaps.”
Founded in 2001, IFG is the world’s leading premium fruit-breeding company, headquartered in the USA. The company is internationally recognized for its top quality, non-GMO fruit varieties in the table grape, cherry, and raisin industries. IFG patents and licenses its varieties to worldwide marketers and growers, with licensees in 15 countries and its fruit is actively marketed in over 30 countries.
IFG
Contact person: Olivia Riley
Email: mailto:olivia@bastionelevate.com
Website: www.ifg.world.