Karniel and Giumarra families announce launch of Grapa Global

The Karniel and Giumarra families, the two families behind the Arra table grape breeding programme, have joined forces under one entity: Grapa Global LLC, operating under the newly formed Grapa Group.

They said the strategic restructuring marks a natural next step in a long-standing partnership and sets in motion a five-year plan to accelerate the growth and innovation of the Arra Breeding Programme.

Now headquartered in California, Grapa Global has unified its breeding programme, intellectual property portfolio, management, and commercialisation efforts under one roof in a bid to bring greater efficiency, alignment, and focus across the group’s global operations. The newly formed board includes members of both the Giumarra and Karniel families, headed up by Rafi Karniel who will lead the company as CEO.

“This isn’t just about growth, it’s about growing the right way, with our partners and licensees at the center of every decision,” Karniel said.

Now active in 35 countries, Grapa said its Arra programme is experiencing strong and sustained growth, driven by increasing global demand for its high-performance varieties. To support this ongoing expansion, the company is enhancing its technical support team to ensure that every grower in the program has the resources to succeed.

“The Arra programme continues to gain traction worldwide, featuring a diverse range of varieties that offer strong commercial reliability, including genetic resilience, as well as early harvest timing,” the company said.

“These traits are more than agronomic advantages; they are solutions for an increasingly disruptive world, where resilience and adaptability define success. With extreme weather, rising costs, and continued unpredictable logistical challenges, Arra varieties help ensure food security, enabling growers to succeed across diverse regions.”

Beyond its signature lines, the programme is preparing to unveil a new grape category, combining exceptional crunch and standout flavour.

To showcase the full Arra portfolio, Grapa invites partners and industry professionals to join the 2025 California Field Days at its newly expanded 160-acre breeding site. The event will offer a firsthand look at the innovations shaping the future of the table grape industry and how Grapa Global is positioning its partners for success in a rapidly evolving market.

The showcase of very early and early Arra varieties will take place on 14-17 July, while the full Arra range will be on display on 18-22 August.