Talsa targets premium growth in grapes

Peru’s new table grape season is off to a promising start, with favourable weather in Ica setting the stage for good quality and a slight increase in export volumes compared to last year. According to Arturo Hoffmann, chief commercial officer of Talsa Group, the campaign began slowly in week 45 with early and mid-season varieties but is already showing strong potential.

“The weather has been very favourable for production,” Hoffmann says. “We’ve had a normal winter, with maximum temperatures of 22-25°C and minimums of 5-7°C, which is excellent for the phenological development of the vines.”

This has allowed growers to bring forward the season by around two weeks compared with last year – an intentional shift planned during pruning to hit attractive early-season market windows. Export volumes are expected to match last year, with a possible 5 per cent increase concentrated between weeks 52 and 3.

Talsa currently farms around 260ha of premium table grapes in Ica, using advanced genetics and tightly managed production systems. The company’s long-term strategy, says Hoffmann, centres on aiming for the most lucrative market windows – a philosophy that includes expanding into new production zones to avoid the heavy supply peaks typical of Ica.

“Our project involves using the best genetics, producing the highest possible quality, and targeting the strongest windows,” he notes. “We want to ensure any expansion doesn’t coincide with Ica’s peak harvest period.”

Premium varieties are at the heart of Talsa’s approach. “Yes, we’re targeting top retailers – but also premium wholesalers,” Hoffmann says. “And we’re actively diversifying our markets, because there are still many countries with strong demand but limited exposure to newer varieties.”

Despite the upbeat tone, Hoffmann warns that the Peruvian table grape sector faces major challenges. In the north, he points to inconsistent fruit quality and increasingly frequent adverse weather events. In the south – including Ica – water and labour availability continue to shape the viability of new agricultural developments. Across the country, logistics remain a universal headache.

“International logistics is one of the biggest problems,” he says. “Not only because of high costs, but also due to poor service from shipping companies and the limited cold storage capacity we face during peak arrivals, especially on the US East Coast.”

Hoffmann supports the newly formed Global Grape Group, an international coalition created to stimulate grape consumption. He believes the industry has underestimated the need to educate consumers, especially as new producing regions and varietal innovations reshape the category. “We’ve taken it for granted that consumers are informed,” he says. “But with the explosion of new genetics, we have a huge opportunity to raise awareness. I hope the GGG becomes a promotional success in the US.”

Looking ahead, Hoffmann anticipates continued segmentation in global markets, with premium and speciality varieties strengthening their position. “The table grape business today is varietal and window-based,” he says. “Quality and consistency are key. The winners will be the producers who understand that the era of grapes as a commodity is over.”