Shipments are estimated at a total aggregate volume of 69 million boxes (8.2 kg), which would mark an 8% drop year-on-year.

"As an industry, we need to review where we are, where we are going, and how to get there. This means looking at exciting technological advances, new varieties, and how to protect company secrets, yet at the same time share best practices," said McClarty.

“This year, unfortunately we have had half the sizing we saw last season. We’ve never come across a similar situation,” said AALPUM managing director Juan Alberto Laborin.

The shift in varieties has resulted in more spread throughout the season, which is expected to extend past the July 4th holiday in the U.S.

We spoke with several key industry members from around the world to hear what they make of the deal that would tie-up two table grape breeding powerhouses.