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.
Four Star Fruit acquired 1,100 acres of table grape vineyards and two modern distribution facilities near Bakersfield, California from Grapeman Farms.
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.
As of Oct. 31 there were 11.3 million boxes in inventory. This is up 8% from the 10.5 million boxes recorded at the same time last year.
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.
The figure of $1.92 billion means that imports during the first six months of each year have more than doubled over the last decade.
The Commission has bolstered its global marketing focus with the promotion of Alyson Dias to the new position of Chief Marketing Officer, supported by two new Assistant Directors of Marketing.
The 2022 California table grape season is off to a solid start with similar volumes to 2021 expected this year, but high costs, the ongoing shipping crisis and the added challenge of inflation remain a cause for concern.
