This measure will make it possible to replace fumigation with an inspection system for the shipment of fresh grapes from the Atacama, Coquimbo and part of Valparaíso regions to the Aztec market.
Similar to Mexico and Coachella, Central California is experiencing a delay of approximately 10-14 days in its harvest.
After a high-priced early Jalisco deal, Mexico’s traditional Sonoran production was delayed and otherwise set back by unseasonably chilly temperatures.
Sonoran grapes are now roaring into the marketplace, after a slow start which caused historically high prices.
Many U.S. retail shelves for grapes are empty this June due to unusually cold weather in key Sonoran grape districts near the Arizona border which means all grapes from the region are late.
Moving into the 2023 Sonora season, Nogales-based company Divine Flavor is expected to improve upon last season's numbers.
“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.
Daytime weather has been cooler slowing the ripening process of the table grapes, and therefore, their harvest.
"Freight is more expensive than the product, it's killing us", Juan Laborin, General Director of the Mexican table grapes association AALPUM told the Grape Reporter.
Pacific Trellis Fruit expects to see growth coming from its Mexico table grape program, which includes over 20 varieties and will start shipping in the middle of May.
