Table Grape Committee standardises sizes to ensure better consistency for exports
Chile’s Table Grape Committee has launched the Size Standardisation document for different varieties to create a more standardised export offer and improve its competitiveness in international markets.
The committee’s executive director, Ignacio Caballero, said the update seeks to accurately classify fruit size according to its genetics and colour, ensuring that each bunch meets the expectations of global consumers.
“Currently, there are more than 63 varieties of table grapes in Chile, 46 size ranges, and five different nomenclature scales,” he said. “For example, some range from S to XL, while others use A to J. Furthermore, there are different sizes for the same names among varieties, and some breeders even have official nomenclatures. Therefore, the need arises to unify criteria and organise the system, which is what we aim to achieve with the Size Standardization document.”
The document proposes specific ranges (measured in millimetres) for categories ranging from M to JJJ. Among the main definitions are:
• First new standard: Applicable to more than 40 varieties. It defines the size, for example, XL for 20-22mm and JJJ for fruit exceeding 26mm.
• Second new standard: Focused on 10 specific varieties, including classic names and new developments, where XL size is defined as 19-21mm and JJJ as over 25mm.
• Special: The document also identifies varieties with unique size requirements due to their morphological characteristics, under the Special classification.
“This standardisation is a key tool for producers and exporters to speak the same technical language, guaranteeing the consistency of Chile’s export offering,” Caballero stated.
The document can be viewed here
