<p><strong>BRAZIL</strong><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">By ANUK Staff</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>While there are still plenty of high quality California grapes to ship in November and December, the first containers of Brazilian grapes have arrived. The grapes arrived two weeks ago and the availability of the Brazilian Festivals and Thompsons should last for about eight to ten weeks. However, supply of the Brazilian grapes is anticipated to be down 40% compared to last year.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>At present, the market in North America is strong for red and green grapes and retail prices are up. With higher prices currently on California reds and greens, the demand for grapes will depend on the customer loyalty. The next player in the game is Peru who will start supplying its varieties late next week in very light volume.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/Empire_of_Brazil_map_1822.png" alt="Brazilian Grapes" class="story_image_cropped" /></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Mike Rodgers, Director of East Coast Operations for Giumarra Vineyards, tells AndNowUKnow, "Out of California, the quality is very good on all of the remaining varieties - Autumn Kings, Crimsons, Autumn Royals and Globes. There are very few Scarlet Royals left but they appear to be holding their quality as well. The only issue has been lighter color on the Crimsons with the grapes rarely getting more than 85% color. Even though they are lighter in color this season, they have great condition and are very good eating."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>US retail market prices seem to be up around $2.99 a pound average, which will slow down the movement, he notes.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>John Pandol, Director of Special Projects, Pandol Brothers tells AndNowUKnow, "Brazilian export is down this year as the country is choosing to market grapes in other areas. Specifically, Brazil is choosing to market domestically in a bigger way. The country is not looking to export to the European market in the same volumes as before and the U.S. market is presenting a consistently more competitive marketplace for grapes at this time of year."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>A combination of repacking, covering vineyards, culturing vineyards for later, and varietal selection have allowed California to offer the U.S. market a better green grape in November and December then we offered three to five years ago, he notes.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>California has gained quite the competitive edge over the past few years and is alive and kicking as we head into the Winter months.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
