Grape Market Heading Towards Supply Overlap

The grape market is looking to host a crowded month in late June and early July if the current harvest conditions remain constant. With Mexico and Coachella starting later than usual and the San Joaquin Valley on track to be a bit early this season, an overlap in grape supplies could be in store for growers and retailers.

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Chilean Crimsons are also coming to the market a bit later and will overlap with the front end of Coachella and Mexico, should everything remain the same. Chile has had a delay in shipping with the recent strikes. Its been a complicated season for Chilean grapes with a short crop in the early part as well as rain damage right around the time the country was looking to promote.

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Randy Giumarra, Vice President of Sales, Giumarra Vineyards, tells AndNowUKnow, "If everything remains on track, we will have a lot of beautiful grapes in the coming months." He adds, "This offers great potential for retailers now on Chilean Crimsons, through May and June from Mexico and Coachella, and right into summer from the San Joaquin Valley. Given the quality and volume of the fruit, retailers should be eager to promote grapes in the coming months.”

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Sun World Grape Category Manager, Rick Paul, tells us, "With the San Joaquin Valley tracking to be record-early in late June, our harvest of Flames and Superior seedless may come much earlier than last year's start date of the 26th."

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Growers note that it is important to remember that a lot can happen between now and the San Joaquin Valley grape program, kick-off date. Weather can drastically change things and desert grapes can come on quicker as the warm temperatures in Coachella don't significantly dip in the evenings.

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Mr. Paul, adds, "Its important for retailers to see this as advantageous and start planning promotions early. Grapes are a high contributor in dollar sales to the produce department and can also be a great traffic generator. The overlap will provide the opportunity for a smooth transition without any gaps in supply and promotional volumes in time for the Fourth of July and summer holiday promotions."

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Retailers like running 4th of July ads with California grapes; the 'bag with the flag' one grower tells us. So, this may end up being a blessing in disguise as red grapes are usually in shorter supply during the holiday.

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John Pandol, Director of Special Projects, Pandol Bros. Inc., tells AndNowUKnow, "Its also relevant to note that growers should not jump the gun and harvest too early before the grapes are ready. Retailers can be torn between ordering grapes in week one or further into the beginning of harvest."

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With all the buzz around the overlap, growers during the Summer grape deal are looking forward to using the current conditions to their advantage.

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Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for further updates on the Summer grape program.

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