The Table Grape Committee of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) published the first projection of the 2023-2024 campaign, which is estimated at 63,780,328 boxes for this season, (equivalent to 8.2 kg), which shows a growth of 5.4% compared to last year (2022-2023).
The report says that the inclusion of new varieties triples the number of traditional varieties, reaching 63% of the expected supply for this new campaign, with more than 40 million boxes.
In addition, the Red Globe variety number decreased by 64% compared to the 2012-2013 season, with 9,858,010 boxes.
Regarding this, Iván Marambio, president of ASOEX, commented “This growth is the main product of the increase in the First estimate of the ASOEX Table Grape Committee, 2023-2024 Season: A 5% increase in shipments of fresh grapes in Chile and continues to increase new varieties, reaching 63% of the world’s total shipments of new varieties, which allows us to project that it will represent 63% of the total fresh grape export in the country this season”, which amounts to around 40 million boxes. Meanwhile, traditional varieties, including Red Globe, will reach around 23.5 million boxes.”
The Table Grape Committee estimates that the new varieties will affect the amount exported in all areas of color. In the case of black typea drop in the traditional Autumn Royal and an increase in Sable Seedless is expected.
On the part of white races significant reduction in the number of Thompson Seedless and an increase in the new varieties Sweet Globe and Autumn Crisp.
In the red varieties volumes of the Crimson Seedless variety continued to decline as in the previous four seasons, giving way to greater volumes of the new varieties Allison, Timco, and Sweet Celebration.
Markets and peaks
The US will continue to be the main destination for Chilean grapes, with 35,801,761 boxes planned, representing 56% of the total.
Marambio explained that, of the total expected shipments, “56.1% will be destined for the United States, followed by Asia with 19%, Europe with 16% and others with 9.1%. The United States continues to be the main destination on our table. Grapes, therefore, having a Systems Approach is something important for the future of the industry.”
Regarding the peak season, it is estimated that the campaign will develop in a similar way to the previous one, with weeks 8, 9, and 10 as those with the highest number of exports.
Marambio added that “the development of new varieties is visible, in line with the commitment and strategy set by the Committee, regarding the achievement of 70% of new varieties in the total shipment of grapes on the table within the next 2 This first estimate, without doubt, clearly shows the efforts made by the producers and exporters of Chile with an offer that is more attractive for destinations that market and consumers, which means significant investment and management.”.
Actions with Provided
On the other hand, the coordinator of the Asoex Table Grape Committee, Ignacio Caballero, talked about the collaborative work they are developing with the Association of Table Grape Producers of Peru (PROVIDE), to expand the consumption of fresh grapes, especially, in a context of more volumes and sources.
“Chile and Peru are the main exporters of table grapes in the world, for this reason, we continue to build a joint promotion that allows us to increase the consumption of these fruits, especially in the market in the US. This, within the framework of the increase in supplier countries, as well as the number of grapes”.
Caballero explained that the Committee will carry out promotional actions in the United States and China, especially to evaluate what other market activities can be carried out; South Korea, Germany, and the United Kingdom were reviewed. “We plan the next estimate of the Committee for the first half of November and we hope to maintain the same level of transparency as last time with 1 estimate per month.”
It should be noted that this projection is based on information provided by member companies of the Committee, which represent 82% of the total shipment of table grapes in the country.
