<p>California grapes have seen a fast moving season with record shipments this summer. Quality has been excellent this season as the grapes have higher than normal brix, and above average supply. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The month of August saw record shipments for grapes from California posting week-ending totals of over 4 million boxes three weeks in a row. According to USDA data, over 28 million boxes of California table grapes had been shipped through Friday, August 23, 2013. The YTD total is three percent ahead of last year.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Growers tell us that rumors have been circulating that there won’t be any late white grapes for November at which point they ensure us that the chatter is wrong. The season started early, but the heat delayed some late green varieties and if weather remains steady there will be adequate supplies of all grapes till the new year. High temperatures have increased the sugar content in most regions into the 19 to 22 brix level creating a sweet and flavorful California crop, perfect for the holidays and ideal for promoting in produce departments. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Nick Dulcich, Owner, Sunlight International, tells AndNowUKnow, "Retailers can take advantage of this record California crop by getting ahead on their holiday planning and join fall and holiday promotions. Merchandising this category front and center is both beneficial to the retailer and the consumer as a healthy snack and treat and as a meal ingredient popular throughout the fall and into winter." </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Dulcich & Sons will be shipping specific red, green, and black varietals during the season for its Harvest Hobgoblin campaigns as well as the winter campaigns to come, depending on what is available. The company’s fixed weight and bi-color options will also help to carry the programs. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>In addition to great quality and above average supply there is another element to the evolving grape industry that makes it a unique program in fresh produce. Jim Llano, Sales Manager, Castle Rock Vineyards, tells us, "Things have changed so much in the past few years. There are a number of new varieties with unique flavor profiles and brix levels like our Sweet Celebration, that now carry the California grape season into December. Retailers should be excited to promote the grape category with all the tremendous strides in variety development and packaging. There are now so many options for consumers."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Llano, notes, "Coming out of summer and going into the fall period is when we really begin to pick big grape volumes. This is some of the best quality that I have seen in quite a long time." </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>John Harley, Sales Manager, Anthony Vineyards, tells us, "Barring any kind of weather complications, it is looking to be a great late season program. The new red late season grapes that have been developed over the last two or three years are really coming into production and extending the season and increasing volume."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The same is happening with greens, where we had Thompson seedless as the major green grape going into late season, new varieties like the Autumn Kings and Sweet Sunshine are helping to keep fresh grapes in produce departments as well as the storage grapes, Harley tells us.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>It is looking to be a fruitful time in the industry, especially in the grape category. With all the pioneering efforts to expand the California grape season and its portfolio, now seems a perfect time to tap into one of California's largest fresh produce offerings. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we follow the California late season grape program.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
