Chilean table grape export volumes are projected to decrease by eight percent during the current 2025-2026 season due to late summer rains recorded between March 16 and 22 across different producing areas of the country.
According to a survey conducted by the Table Grape Committee of industry body Frutas de Chile, precipitation—rare in the Chilean summer—should lead to a drop of approximately five million boxes (8.2 kg) in exportable volume.
Rafael Rodríguez, president of Chilean table grape producer organization Uvanova, explained that red cultivars were the most affected, as vineyards with white varieties are mostly covered. The executive mentioned Crimson and Red Globe as the hardest hit in terms of volume, due to a considerable volume still left in the vine and the varieties’ sensitivity to excess moisture.
Meanwhile, the white AutumnCrisp and reds Timco and Allison were mostly spared, as there was not much left to harvest.
With this new projection, the country is looking to close its campaign with an adjusted projected total of 57.4 million boxes sent to international markets.
The Frutas de Chile survey used data from companies representing nearly 80 percent of the total volume coming from affected areas.
Despite this turn of events, the Chilean industry emphasized its commitment to quality in exported fruit. In a statement posted to the organization’s website, the committee said the industry is focused on ensuring that only grapes meeting the highest standards reach foreign markets.
“Producers and exporters have learned a lot regarding the risks they can and cannot take, and they’re being extremely cautious, making sure they’re not packing fruit that might present problems at destination,” Rodriguez said.
In early March, the Table Grape Committee had already slightly adjusted the shipment estimate for the 2025-26 season downward, to 62.2 million boxes (8.2 kg).
*All images are referential | Archive.
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