An increase in exports of table grapes will occur in supplier countries in the Southern Hemisphere in the 2010-11 season because weather conditions have been favorable for harvesting the fruit in the different production areas.

The total export of the Southern Hemisphere for the current season will reach 1.4 million tons—assuming no weather problems—a figure equivalent to 12% more than the 2009-10 season, according to estimates from iQonsulting, a fresh fruit consultancy, published Sept. 10, 2010.

Chile—with 66% of the exports for the Southern Hemisphere—will see an increase of 11.9% compared with last year, reaching 893,904 tons.

In the estimate, iQonsulting said that in Peru, “new areas planted with table grapes  with increased production could mean an increase in shipments of around 30% compared with last season.” In Argentina and South Africa, a minor increase is expected, of 3% and 6%, respectively.

On the other hand, Brazil will partly recover from the fall in supply during last season, but will not reach its potential because it is seeing fertility problems in buds in Festival, the main variety exported from the San Francisco valley. The harvest started in early September. In total, Brazilian grapes could rise almost 20% compared with last season.

Source: iQonsulting/www.freshfruitportal.com