California table grape stocks are almost at their lowest levels for this time of the year since 2009, with last week's inventories 61% lower year-on-year. 

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published on Dec. 15, there were 1.36 million boxes this year, against 3.44 million in 2014 and 6.12 million in 2013.

In 2009, inventories as of Dec. 15 stood at 1.11 million boxes.

Late varieties with the largest stock volume are Red Globe and Crimson, of which there are currently 103,121 and 524,336 boxes respectively, putting the figures 63% and 68% lower than last year.

Autumn King is the late green variety with that has achieved a strong foothold in the U.S. market., but although on Dec. 15, 2013, there was 800,000 boxes in storage, the numbers have fallen progressively and there are now 291,214 boxes.

According to the report, prices for a 19lb box stoof at US$18.95-20.95 for large Crimson grapes, US$14.95-18.95 for larger Red Globes, and US$18.95-22.95 for large Autumn King.

Last year these prices were around US$2 higher for Autumn King and Crimson, and between US$2-4 higher for Red Globe, according to the USDA.

The volume of table grapes marketed in the U.S. from local production totaled 705,162 metric tons (MT) as of March, while last year the figure stood at 706,888MT.

U.S. grape exports between May and October were 11% lower year-on-year at 251,046MT.

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