Agronometrics in Charts: 2022 : Grapes in Review

Overall, Chilean fruit registered a wide heterogeneity in terms of condition in the 2021-22 season, dividing the market and prices in the midst of lengthy delays. Following last year’s rebound, table grape production in Chile is expected to drop by 56,000 tons to 737,000 as the country trudges along its downward production trajectory. As producers continue to transition to more lucrative crops like cherries and walnuts, it is anticipated that abundant rains would only partly cushion losses from ongoing lower acreage across all areas. Exports are predicted to drop by 53,000 tons to 555,000 due to decreased production. “There is an increase in white varieties, in contrast to the first forecast, amounting to 24,008,975 boxes. While in the others there is a drop compared to the previous forecast. The red varieties would reach 26,634,236 boxes, the black ones 6,473,237 boxes and the Red Globe would total 11,490,306 boxes,” says Ivan Marambio, president of the ASOEX Table Grape Committee, referring to the committee’s forecast for the 2022-23 season.

According to a recently published USDA GAIN report, the output estimate for Mexico for MY (Marketing Year) 2022/2023 is 347,000 MT, which is 3% less than MY 2021/22. Principal grape varieties produced in Sonora in order of importance are Superior Seedless or Sugraone, Flame, Perlette, and Red Globe. Farmers find it challenging to acquire funds to switch to new grape varieties and to integrate nouveau technologies for efficient water usage in order to address challenges brought on by drought and climate change. Input expenses to grow grapes have increased as well, therefore farmers are considering the prospects of switching to more lucrative horticulture crops. Many producers have already transitioned to other vegetable and fruit crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, squash, asparagus, and watermelon, even if grapes may still be their primary product.