The Australian wine industry has been forced to turn to table grape growers this year for product, following a dearth of wine grapes.
A Riverina winery has advertised in a Sunraysia newspaper for supplies of Red Globe and Thompson Seedless grapes. Growers are reportedly being paid some A$375 (£157) a tonne for the fruit, the same price some Mildura wine grape growers received for chardonnay.
Australian Table Grape Association’s Jeff Scott believes it is not a viable option for most of the industry’s growers, unless they are trying to shift weather-damaged stocks.
“Some table grape growers do have varieties that aren’t moving in the market,” he said. “Perhaps the wineries have heard this and are trying to see if any producers may want to sell their stock to an alternative industry.
“But with the price that I believe is being offered by the wineries, I’d be surprised if any table grape grower would take up the chance,” he added.
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