Chilean table grape industry eyes strategic shift to secure competitiveness

Written and reported by Macarena Bravo. | Lee este artículo en Español.

The Chilean table grape industry has reached a turning point: a smaller-than-expected crop, unpredictable weather, and mounting costs are pushing the sector to rethink the business. 

Andro Vidal, Commercial Manager at Subsole’s Table Grape Program, outlined that shift at the Global Grape Convention 2026. The company, headquartered in Santiago, remains the category’s largest exporter in the Andean country.

Speaking at the event, Vidal said Chile’s latest table grape campaign produced 58.3 million boxes, about 14 percent below the industry’s initial forecast. Unseasonable rains in March, particularly in the south and central producing regions, contributed to an early end to the harvest, while production also declined in northern areas.

This prompted exporters to ship fruit more selectively to avoid issues at destination, Vidal shared.

The executive said the industry now needs to reassess production systems, varietal portfolios, logistic costs, and export-market strategies. 

The Chilean table grape industry currently has approximately 56,800 productive acres.

Chilean table grape export outlook

The United States remains the primary destination for Chilean table grapes. During the latest season, total shipments to said market reached 32 million boxes, a 16 percent reduction from the 38 million boxes exported during the 2024/25 cycle. This was also well below the 42 million shipped in 2023/24.

Vidal noted that, during the initial weeks of the season, US buyers showed a more cautious approach, particularly regarding red and black seedless varieties.

The industry's second crop estimate, issued in September 2025, had put total exports at 65 million boxes, while a fourth projection during week five of 2026 reduced expectations to 62.5 million boxes. Final shipments ultimately settled at around 58 million boxes, an overall ten percent reduction.

Vidal explained that this volume shift reflects an ongoing varietal transition. While traditional green seedless varieties such as Thompson Seedless have significantly reduced their market share, brands like AUTUMNCRISP have seen sharp volume increases during the late window.

As for other key destination markets, Europe received approximately 12.9 million boxes of Chilean table grapes this season. This was slightly above the 12.5 million boxes exported the previous year and a clear departure from the 8.6 million boxes recorded in 2023/24.

However, Vidal pointed out that the European market imposes stricter requirements regarding certifications, maximum residue limits (MRLs), and quality standards.

"It represents an opportunity, particularly for growers and exporters capable of meeting the stringent requirements of major European retailers," Vidal noted.

Latin America is also becoming an increasingly strategic export destination.

"Chile exported approximately 7.5 million boxes to the region during the latest season, with Mexico as the main destination, followed by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina," Vidal stated. Over a five- to six-year period, Chilean exports to Latin America have roughly doubled, growing from 9.4 million to nearly 20 million boxes across regional destinations.

Varietal replacement and cost pressures

Vidal identified varietal renewal as one of the sector's most pressing challenges. 

"The Chilean industry has undergone a deep transformation, marked by growth in new green seedless varieties and a decline in traditional red varieties," he noted.

He explained that this transition directly responds to consumer and retail preferences, with buyers consolidating programs around a narrower selection of high-performing varieties that offer superior flavor, appearance, condition, and post-harvest shelf life.

"New varieties represent a technological leap over older ones. Once consumers and retailers adopt the new standard, competing with legacy varieties becomes very difficult," Vidal said.

Cost structure represents another major hurdle for long-term competitiveness, the executive noted. He called for a comprehensive cost review spanning farm-level production, freight transport, port charges, fumigation, inspection fees, inland haulage, and receiving operations in destination markets.

Specifically, he stressed the need to maintain multiple fumigation points across the US to avoid over-concentrating arrivals at specific marine terminals.

Category growth still on the table

Despite operational headwinds, Vidal highlighted strong demand fundamentals across key consumer markets.

"In the US, per capita consumption increased from approximately 8 to 11 pounds over six seasons, while category retail sales grew nearly five percent over the past year," he shared. 

Green seedless grapes are performing exceptionally well, with US consumption growing by roughly eight percent.

Similarly, Europe presents strong prospects driven by growing demand for green varieties and increasing consumer preference for premium fruit. Meanwhile, Latin America offers a dynamic expansion market backed by population growth and rising table grape consumption.

According to the Subsole executive, the Chilean table grape industry has the tools to remain globally competitive, provided stakeholders adapt to changing market dynamics.

"The combination of increasingly complex weather events, elevated operational costs, strict retail requirements, shifting consumer preferences, and global competition demands a shift toward more efficient, quality-driven production," Vidal concluded.

He emphasized that varietal renewal, market diversification, and cost optimization will serve as the core pillars of this next chapter.

"We are convinced that Chile has the potential and practical expertise to remain a key player in the global table grape trade over the medium and long term."

The Global Grape Convention 2026, organized by Yentzen Group, Frutas de Chile, Provid, and Mexico Table Grapes, brought together 900 people and over 50 sponsoring companies.

*Don't miss all the details of the Global Grape Convention 2026 on our social media and at FreshFruitPortal.com.* 

*Para cobertura en español, siga a Portalfruticola.com*

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