From tariff pressure to port congestion, exporters faced a more complex playing field this year. The industry’s response signals a tighter focus on quality, timing, and collaboration.
Slow and steady, the company started the 2025-26 season with low volumes destined for high-paying US customers. But the producer is also being cautious, aiming for a diversified market strategy for the upcoming years.
The Chilean Table Grape Committee is projecting a total volume of over 63,6 million 18-pound boxes, representing a slight 6.4 percent decrease compared to the previous year.
The filing opens a 90-day period during which the agency will defend its 2024 decision to unlock the protocol for exporters in the Latin American country.
In a notice, the agency stated "APHIS will only issue import permits for grapes treated with fumigation either in Chile or upon arrival at a US port of entry,"
At Fruittrade 2025, experts broke down the impact of the 10 percent tariff as well as the repercussions of the suspension of the Systems Approach on exports to the United States.
In his decision, Judge Ali labeled the initial authorization by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) as "arbitrary and capricious."
Over the past 20 years, US table grape imports have increased by 27 percent, a direct result of an ongoing upward trend driven by consumer preference for healthy, high-quality products,
Andro Vidal, Commercial Manager at Exportadora Subsole, delivered a detailed presentation on the current state of table grape production and exports in the country.
The Chilean organization estimates a slight drop of 1% in export volumes from the former projection of 66,940,146 standardized boxes (each weighing 8.2 kilos).
