World Table Grape Situation and Outlook

 

Southern Hemisphere

 

Argentina

 

Production in 2000 (harvested December 1999 through May 2000) is forecast at 20,000 tons, down 5 percent from 1999. In 1999, Argentina exported 15,900 tons, down 11 percent from 1998, and exports are expected to decline another 12 percent to 14,000 tons in 2000.

 

No significant change in export patterns is expected. Belgium was the main buyer, followed by the Netherlands, Brazil, and Canada. Imports are very small and are mainly supplied by Brazil and Chile.

 

Chile

 

Good climatic conditions in most production areas in MY2000 are expected to significantly increase output by approximately 10 percent to 895,000 tons. Thompson Seedless, Flame Seedless, and Ribier account for the bulk of production. Planting has stabilized and new planting, primarily with new varieties that better reflect market demands, is now only replacing aging vineyards.

 

Exports are also forecast to rise almost 10 percent to 520,000 tons in 2000. Chile’s exports to Asia grew in 1999, reflecting the development of a new market in South Korea. Imports, which are minimal, dropped 50 percent to 60 tons in 1999 from 1998 levels. Imports are expected to decline again in 2000. The United States accounts for almost all of Chile’s imports.

 

South Africa

 

In 2000, production is expected to rise slightly to 225,000 tons, a 1-percent increase over 1999. Exports increased 21 percent to 180,000 tons in 1999 but are expected to decline 3 percent to 175,000 tons in 2000 due to adverse weather. The grapes, which are normally exported beginning in November, suffered damage from heavy rains in December 1999. The EU is the main buyer of South African grapes (primarily the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands), followed by the United States.

 

 

Northern Hemisphere

 

It is too early to make reliable forecasts for the northern hemisphere for 2000 but data for this hemisphere has been revised since the November issue (see table).

 

United States

 

California’s table grape production in 1999 is estimated at 680,389 tons, 16 percent above 1998 levels. California accounts for 90 percent of the U.S. table grape production. U.S. table grape exports in 1999 increased 15 percent to 238,609 tons. Canada, Hong Kong, and Mexico were the top export markets. Most notably, exports to the Philippines increased123 percent to 14,264 tons.

 

The United States and Australia have reached an agreement which will soon allow the United States to begin shipping table grapes after implementing certain protocols, including fumigation. On January 14, 2000, Australia released its final import risk assessment (IRA) on California table grapes and determined that California table grapes will meet Australia’s phytosanitary requirements if imported under one of two specified fumigation options. Shipments of California table grapes should begin this season if there are no appeals or if any appeals that are made are not upheld by the Appeal Panel. The U.S. industry estimates that Australia will import between one and one and a half million boxes per year, placing Australia in the top five markets for California grapes. The estimated value for those shipments is between $12 million and $19 million.

 

The United States is a net table grape importer. Imports for 1999 are forecast at 409,879 tons, a 1-percent increase. Chile and Mexico are the main suppliers (see trade tables).

 

(The FAS Attache Report search engine contains reports on the deciduous fruit industries for more than 20 countries, including Chile, Mexico, and Japan. For information on production and trade, contact Shari Kosco at 202-720-9792. For information on marketing contact Yvette Wedderburn Bomersheim at 202-720-0911. Also, visit our grape web page at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp/horticulture/grapes.html )

Last modified: Wednesday, February 20, 2002