In spring, Mexico plays a crucial role in the supply of table grapes to the US and Canadian markets. Harvest kicks off in the Guaymas growing region in Sonora in May, and gradually transitions to Hermosillo, before it finishes up in the Caborca growing region in Sonora around July. Mexico has a unique window as it comes on the heels of South America's season and aims to be out of the market before California starts up. Back in the early 1990s, Alan Aguirre and his brother-in-law Carlos Bon Sr. and father-in-law Enrique Camou saw an opportunity to start a table grape operation in Mexico and Grupo Alta was formed.
Alan Aguirre
Organic certified
"While the climate to grow table grapes in Mexico was ideal, the lack of nutrients in the soil made it very challenging at first," says Alan Aguirre, President of Grupo Alta. The founders started doing their research and attended some organic conferences. "We learned that the more we gave back to the soil, the healthier the plants became. As a result, we became the first company to be organically certified in Mexico." Over the years, Grupo Alta's table grape production expanded and today, the company represents approximately 25 percent of all table grape production out of Mexico. "We are proud to be the largest exporter of organic and Fair Trade certified table grapes," added Aguirre. Close to 95 percent of all supply is exported to the United States and Canada with a small share going to Asia and Europe.
Advancing the season
While the three growing regions provide stable supply in spring, growers are feeling the effects of climate change. "The trend we've witnessed in recent years is that the Mexican season starts later and later." After years of research, Grupo Alta started investing in advancing its table grape season by expanding into the Jalisco growing region—a micro-climate situated in a flat, tropical valley surrounded by mountains and several volcanos.
"The most significant factor in establishing table grape operations in Jalisco is the advantage of bringing grapes to market earlier, towards the end of March. The Jalisco operation allows us to be the first producer of grapes in North America during a time when the market is hungry for grapes." By the end of March, Peru's second harvest is done, and Chile is about finished or has its last containers on the water. Grupo Alta's Jalisco operation, called Don Mario, offers fresh, high-quality grapes during a time of limited supply and they are just two days away from customers' shelves. "The region offers a great growing window for our company and complements our year-round offering of table grapes."
Challenges
"The honest reality of growing in Jalisco is that it is very difficult to grow grapes here and that's why no one else does it," commented Aguirre. "There are so many obstacles that need to be addressed, including the weather, the water source, land, logistics, labor, etc. However, going into this project, we knew it would be a challenge and I was very confident in our personnel to piece together a plan that would succeed in our largest and most ambitious agronomical investment in company history."
The upcoming season will be Grupo Alta's 6th season in Jalisco and the company is relieved to be past the difficult stages as the obstacles have been addressed and solved. "It has taken many years to get it right, but with all the latest innovations for grape growing, including new packing facilities, proper installation of shading for the vineyards, and newly built housing for all the collaborators/workers, this operation fills a significant void in the market. "Experience greatly played a role in our success at Don Mario, and we feel that last year, we navigated through those last challenges that will allow us to have one of our best seasons since starting this project. Don Mario has become the young adult within our operation and ultimately fulfills the goal of being able to supply customers with great-quality products 365 days a year." Last year was the first year of harvesting commercial volumes at Don Mario and just over one million boxes of grapes were packed. The company expects to double that volume this year.
Marketing company
Despite the early challenges, growing table grapes in Jalisco is crucial for Grupo Alta and for its marketing arm Divine Flavor that was opened up in 2006. "Don Mario has allowed us to produce grapes in North America outside the typical growing times, enabling us to supply our customers with fruit when the market needs it, especially our retail partners who have supported this vision since the start," says Michael DuPuis of Divine Flavor. In addition, it takes only 24 hours for fruit from Jalisco to be in the marketplace. "Our marketing arm has helped us offering our customers a brand they can rely on - someone they can trust, which makes them eager to come back for repeat purchases." This year, the Don Mario program in Jalisco is expected to start the week of March 25 and continue through the beginning of May. As the vineyard matures, the intention is for the season to last a bit longer into May, connecting directly with the Sonoran table grape season.
Michael DuPuis
Specialty grapes
"It has always been our mission to grow flavorful and high-quality grapes for the North American market," shared DuPuis. "We want to excel in everything we do and therefore, the Don Mario ranch only grows the best grapes, which are specialty varieties that perform very well at this location." These include Cotton Candy, Timpson, Sweet Celebration, Sweet Globe, and AUTUMNCRISP, a variety the company and its customers are very bullish on. In addition, the group has a few new varieties in the pipeline that are currently being trialed. The focus for these new varieties is centered around innovation in the red seedless category by bringing to market varieties with high nutrition levels and a sweeter taste.
The Don Mario vineyard is named after Aguirre's father, Mario H. Aguirre Romo. "He was a man driven by hard work and determination. My father was able to accomplish so much from an early age and he had the resilience to overcome adversity with any obstacle thrown his way," said Aguirre. In the 1970s, he was Mexico's main poultry farmer and egg producer and while he unfortunately passed away at a very young age, his tenacity and passion were humbling. For that reason, the farm was named after him.
For more information:
Michael DuPuis
Divine Flavor
Tel: +1 (520) 281-8328
mdupuis@divineflavor.com
www.divineflavor.com