While it’s early yet, some growers are predicting another sizeable crop of California grapes this summer.
“Harvest is running a few days behind last year at this point but the weather can change things quickly,” says Brett Dixon of Top Brass Marketing in Shafter, Ca. “The crop could be higher than last season. However we drop fruit in our vineyards which reduces the yield, but produces far larger sizes and uniform bunches.”
Top Brass grows grapes in the Kern/Tulare county in California which is where competing supplies also come from. “However, Mexico and Coachella, Ca. are late as well and may overlap the front end of our season,” says Dixon. “But weather will once again dictate how long those regions can continue to harvest quality grapes with a proper shelf life. On the back end of our season, Peru appears to be starting sooner with each year that passes.”
California’s anticipated to start late June or early July.
Shifting crops
In terms of industry trends, Dixon says he sees a lot of vineyards coming out in the industry as a whole. “And some competitors are being bought out and converting to different crops,” he says. “But there should still be plenty of availability to meet consumer demands.”
Looking ahead, Dixon says some of the company’s niche varieties will see increases this season compared to last. “We have many more new varieties in the ground, but we will opt not to harvest them this year as they will not be indicative of a uniform crop,” he says. “So we’ll be patient and see those come off next year, representing the very best of what those uniquely flavored varieties have to offer the industry.”
For more information:
Brett Dixon
Top Brass Marketing
Tel: +1 (661) 393-4096
[email protected]
https://www.topbrassmarketing.com/
