Mexican grape output may dip in 2023, USDA report says

Mexican table grape production is expected to dip 3% in the 2023 season compared with 2022, but exports to the U.S. should remain stable, according to a new report from the USDA.

Mexican table grape planted area is forecast at 54,360 acres, 8% below 2022, according to the report.

Growers are finding it difficult to obtain funding to switch to new grape varieties, and to incorporate technology in the field for efficient use and control of water to address drought and climate change-related pressures, according to the report.

“Farmers also face higher input costs to produce grapes and consider planting more profitable horticultural crops,” the report said. “For many growers, while grapes may be their primary product, they are already diversified into other vegetable and fruit crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, asparagus, and watermelon. Some growers are also looking into other possibilities newer to the area, such as pomegranate.”

In 2021, Sonora, Mexico, accounted for over 90% of planted area and production, the report said. Principal grape varieties produced in Sonora, in order of importance, are Superior Seedless or Sugraone, flame, perlette, and red globe, according to the report.

The USDA projects Mexican grape production at 347,000 metric tons, 3% lower than marketing year 2021-22. Mexico’s domestic grape consumption may remain stagnant or decline in 2023, the report said.

Meanwhile, Mexican table grape exports to the U.S. are forecast at 196,000 metric tons in 2023, about unchanged from 2022. About 99% of Mexican grape exports are sent to the U.S., with about 1% sold to Japan, the report said.

The value of U.S. imports of Mexican grapes totaled $659 million in 2022, up 16% from 2021 and up 28% from 2020, according to USDA trade numbers. The volume of U.S. import of Mexican grapes totaled about 198,000 metric tons in 2022, up 8% from 183,000 metric tons in 2021.