Early signs on the upcoming California grape season show that it is tracking later than normal. “Typically we’d pack our first Flame seedless grapes the first week of July and right now, we’re about two to three weeks delayed in our cultural practices. If we get some warmer weather, that should move earlier but we definitely do not expect to be on time or early this year,” says Scott Reade with Pandol Brothers.
Sugar Crunch grapes.
The grape season looks to start later due to colder temperatures seen in California during the growing season this year.
In terms of volume though, the crop size is anticipated to be similar to last year. “Of course, we have a lot of weather to go between today and when we start picking in the first week of July. The weather could thin the crop out or it may not,” says Reade. For Pandol Brothers, it’s seeing increased volumes on three of its newer varieties--Sugar Crunch, Sweet Globe in green seedless and in red seedless, Allison late-season grapes. “These are the larger, firmer, sweeter berry varieties and those are the main three things we look for in new grape varieties so we’re excited to have more volume on those,” says Reade.
Sweet Globe grapes.
Transition from Mexico
The California season will follow the Mexican season which is getting ready to start and it too is about 10 days delayed. “Going from Mexico to California with both regions delayed, the key thing is what type of weather will we have in late June for the transition?” says Reade, noting this season should go until December.
“If the weather is reasonable and we don’t have rain and high heat, then we can continue picking grapes into July. If we have weather towards the end of June, that could affect the transition with the delays. We really need to see how the weather plays out at the end of Mexico to know what the transition will be like.”
Sweet Celebration grapes.
As for demand, it continues to look good on grapes. “Grapes are a top category in the produce area and retailers are looking for excellent quality and excellent condition grapes and hopefully we can deliver on that,” he says. “Our costs have increased so we are asking retailers to help out with pricing this year. We have to get to some level of sustainable prices in the industry and hopefully, we can get there over the next couple of years.”
For more information:
Scott Reade
Pandol Brothers Inc.
T: +1 (661) 725-3755
reade@pandol.com
www.pandol.com