A month and a half into the Peruvian table grape season and North America remains an unfavorable market for South American grape exporters. On the surface, the numbers suggest an average Peruvian season from a North American perspective. In reality, Peru is enjoying a bountiful crop but much of the fruit that would normally travel to North America has been diverted to more receptive markets.
"Peru began shipping seedless grapes to North America in mid-October with first arrivals in the market coming in early November," noted Mark Greenberg, President of Capespan North America. "Supplies are relatively light with 350 000 cases of red seedless shipped to North America and 420 000 cases of white seedless. While these numbers are not materially different than the volumes shipped last season over the same period, Peru’s loadings to its markets around the world are almost twice what was shipped last season. As of Week 44 this year, Peruvian seedless table grape loadings to North America formed around 12 percent of its total loadings. As of the same date last season Peru had loaded 26 percent of its seedless grapes to North America."
The reason for the proportionally fewer shipments to North America is the abundance of California grapes this season. “As a result of the fact that domestic table grapes from California remain widely available," Greenberg explained, "Peruvian shippers have diverted fruit to other markets as they await a more receptive North American market. In December, though, we expect to see heavier Peruvian arrivals with volumes more reflective of the size of the Peruvian crop.
Markets remain soft
As the numbers indicate, overall volume from Peru is expected to be higher this year. However, with plenty of grapes available in North America, the market remains soft. The imported fruit from Peru is still subject to the downward price pressure that has affected the North American grape market.
"Peru is expecting a larger table grape volume than last season," Greenberg shared. "The fact that this is not yet reflected in the total departures is a function of the timing of the Peruvian harvest. The market for imports is soft with slow movement. Exporters of Peruvian table grapes expect a price for their fruit that the market is just not yet ready to pay with relatively inexpensive domestic grapes still available."
Crimsons, Flames and Sugraones making up the bulk
As we approach the peak of the Peruvian season, there are a good amount of varieties available with a mix of early and mid-season grapes, with Crimsons, Flames and Sugraones leading the way.
"So far, Crimsons and Flames have formed the greatest part of Peru’s red seedless loadings to date with a few Sweet Celebration, Jack’s Salute and Scarlotta’s rounding out the offering," Greenberg said. "In white seedless, Sugraones have formed the largest part of the loadings with Thompson Seedless not far behind. But there have also been Sweet Globes and Arra 15 shipped."
For more information:
Mark Greenberg
Capespan North America
Tel: +1 (514) 739-9181
markg@capespan-na.com
www.capespan-na.com