Kölla has released the following update on the grape harvests in Egypt, Spain and Italy.
Egypt: harvest in May with 10 days delay
With the focus on white seedless grapes, the harvest in Giza 2021 has already started in week 18/19. In comparison, this year we started the season with a delay of about 10 days in week 20. More availabilities, smaller calibres and variety innovations
"Based on our pre-harvest visits, we are calculating with smaller calibres and more availabilities this year. This means that there will be more trayed products and less products packed in 4.5kg. The shortfalls of the white seedless varieties (week 21-23) could be compensated by fruits from other areas along the Alex Road and Alexandria.“ – Jose Claure.
This year, for the first time, new varieties and product innovations of red and blue seedless grapes are increasingly exported. Varieties such as Black Velvet, Scarlet Dew and Autumn Royal are already appearing on the market in commercial quantities. After this year’s first harvest of ARRA© varieties as well as SunWorld varieties, we expect increased volumes in the next 2-3 years.
Spain: better qualities than last year
We are currently very positive about the harvest and expect better qualities compared to last year. The season starts, as usual, at the end of June/beginning of July with the first small quantities of seedless white varieties (Superior). In the following two weeks, the first shipments of dark seedless grapes will be possible. The season starts with the excellent variety Itum15©. In the course of the season, new varieties will also be prepared for delivery.
In week 25, the harvest of the white seedless grapes (Superior and Sugraone) begins in the south of the Murcia region. Besides very good qualities and a balanced sugar level (Brix content:13/16), this variety is also expected to have better calibres than in previous years.
From the end of week 25/beginning of week 26, the first shipments of the red seedless variety Itum15 are planned. This new variety has been planted increasingly in this region in recent years and allows an earlier start of the season. Only two weeks later the season also starts in the northwest of Murcia. Here the prognosis for good sugar levels and calibres is just as positive. Through steady variety development over the past years, we can ensure a regular supply of all three variety types:
Current harvest situation in Italy
The Italian grape season begins in the growing regions of Sicily. Traditionally, our producers there have specialised in seeded varieties. Elsewhere, a trend towards seedless varieties has developed.
It has become apparent that the seeded Italia grape is no longer able to withstand the constantly changing climatic conditions (excessive heat or sudden rainfall). It was therefore necessary to carry out a gradual varietal substitution in favour of the new seedless grapes. These have a greater resistance to climatic conditions.
For more information: koella.com