Canada will require listing sulfur dioxide on food labels in the list of ingredients for fresh table grapes.

Chilean exporters and authorities expected to have the protocol approved for the 2023-24 season, but an issue related with the Free Trade Agreement between Chile and the EU is holding it back.

Cyclon Yaku in early March 2023 caused damages estimated at $630 million in the northern region of Peru, with strong winds and rain for weeks which lowered table grape production volumes by 30%. 

As per the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association Frutas de Chile (formerly ASOEX) third estimate, over 62 million table grape boxes will be shipped to international markets this 2023-24 campaign.

Members of the industry and exporters see this as a great opportunity to test out the system and see how it could be implemented in other regions of the country, as well as other export markets like the U.S.

Optimistic headlines are being shared in in the Peruvian press because a comparison is being made with the previous season, in the same months and, due to the early harvest of the current season.

U.S. retailers are focused on table grape imports and fruit in cold storage as the local harvest period has come to an end.

U.S. table grape imports for 2023-24 are forecast to rise slightly to 760,000 tons, assuming normal Panama Canal shipping volumes.

Grape producers and exporters worldwide have experienced a process of change and stress marked by climatic factors, the Covid-19 pandemic, logistical issues in origin and destination, and the cultivation of new varieties that have not achieved expected results. 

After 20 years of work the Systems Approach has been authorized by the technical organizations of both the U.S. and Chile, it now awaits publication in the Federal Register by the USDA.