With the California table grape season well underway, the supply is good with particularly strong quality this year. "We've had a really mild summer in the San Joaquin Valley. We've not seen that many days over 100°F since May," says Keith Wilson, owner of King Fresh Produce LLC. "So grapes, tree fruit, and melons are all benefiting from the mild weather."
© King Fresh ProduceWilson says grapes, tree fruit, and melons are all benefiting from the mild weather.
The season did start close to the normal start time, thanks in part to that cooler weather. Many times, when it gets too hot, the vines stop growing and the fruit is slow to mature, but that has not been the case this year. Yields are also up this season, thanks to the lack of adverse weather and good water supply.
"It's been a good growing environment, so hence, we have a lot of fruit on the market," says Wilson. "However, we feel that the quality is going to move the fruit through retail. All growers are being patient and allowing the fruit to get to optimum sugar levels before harvesting. Sweet fruit will ensure return sales. That's important."
What's also helping is the shift towards planting new grape varieties that are offering good sizing and quality. Currently on green grapes, King Fresh Produce is harvesting Ivory grapes, a green seedless grape with a large berry and great flavor. Valley Pearl, also green seedless grapes, have a nice Muscat flavor when ripe, and the berry size is well above an inch in diameter. On its Sweet Globe green seedless grapes, King Fresh is seeing a lot of export business. "We have many people who specifically order Sweet Globe grapes," says Wilson, adding that the company has worked to invest in new grape varieties.
Varietal notes
On red grapes, the season began for King Fresh with Torch, a red seedless grape that is a good-tasting dark red variety. It has also packed Flame grapes, which packed out with great quality. King Fresh is now getting into its Scarlet Royal and Jack's Salute red grapes, as well as Krissy red seedless. In all, the company is growing 18 different varieties of fresh table grapes.
© King Fresh Produce
King Fresh's Torch grapes
As for demand, the season began with some grape supply still on the market from Mexico. "We saw the markets adjust downward from the high $20s down to the low $20s and into the teens in mid July," says Wilson. "The market has adjusted, providing a great opportunity for retailers to promote with great quality, plentiful supply, and inexpensive prices. We want to promote for the next 60-90 days, so well into November-December."
Last year, pricing at this time stayed pretty strong in the low to mid $20s on most varieties.
For more information:
Keith Wilson
King Fresh Produce LLC
Tel: +1 (559) 596-2040
[email protected]
www.kingfresh.com
