Table grape exports from South America’s leading suppliers are tipped to increase during the 2012/13 campaign, analyst iQonsulting has informed Americafruit, Asiafruit and Eurofruit.
Peru is on course to export its largest grape crop or 179,312 tonnes, the group said, representing a 20 per cent increase on last season.
Chile, meanwhile, will see a limited growth in its shipments to 847,115 tonnes, iQonsulting noted, which marks a 4 per cent increase on 2011/12 but a decrease in volume compared with 2010/11.
Brazil is estimated to supply 66,592 tonnes of grapes in 2012/13 – up just 3 per cent on last season but also down on 2010/11.
iQonsulting said Peru is continuing to expand its table grape production as it carves out an increasingly larger share of the counter-seasonal market.
Chilean production, meanwhile, will be limited this season because of a lack of rainfall in the north of the country.
Additionally, solid performance in Chile’s raisin industry has also diverted some fresh volume to the processing industry, according to iQonsulting.
Quality-wise, iQonsulting said Brazil is anticipating an “exceptional” crop in Petrolina this season, but a strong local market will keep a lid on volume available for export.
The full report will be published in the October issue of Eurofruit.
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