The latest report from the USDA shared by the California Table Grape Commission shows that YTD shipments have been higher than the last three-year average, reaching 12,714,617 boxes up to the week of August 2. 

Last year, production reached 72 million boxes. Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission, said the last time the crop was under 75 million boxes was 1994. 

The main destination for Peruvian table grapes was the United States, accounting for 46% of the total share, with a little over 29 million boxes received. 

Supply issues began in August when Hurricane Hilary struck California. From there, the industry witnessed a domino effect of adverse conditions.

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

With approximately 30% of the crop harvested when the hurricane hit, it is projected that 35% of the remaining crop – 25 million boxes – has been lost.

Weather reports indicated that the storm’s record-shattering rains wreaked havoc in parts of Southern California, producing catastrophic flash floods and torrential debris flows in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

After three years of reduced output, US table grape production will climb by 24,000 tons to 850,000 tons in the 2022–2023 growing season.

California vineyards experienced a variety of rainfall amounts in early September, leaving growers with radically differing views of table grape damage

"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.