World Table Grape Situation and Outlook

Northern Hemisphere

United States

This year’s table grape crop is expected to be a record, with excellent quality. Production in 2000 is projected to reach 720,000 tons, 5 percent above the 1999 level. California accounts for 97 percent of the U.S. production and about 10 percent of the world production.

 

Exports are projected to increase by 25 percent to 300,000 tons, due to the large supply and strong Asian demand. During January-August 2000, exports reached 78,216 tons, up 34 percent compared to the same period in 1999. Asian economies are recovering and demand is picking up again in selected Asian countries, which typically represent a large portion of U.S. grape exports.

 

During the first eight months of 2000, exports to Hong Kong and Malaysia were up 51 percent and 74 percent, respectively, over the same period last year. However, the U.S.-Australia table grape agreement has been postponed, limiting export expansion to overseas markets.

During January-August 2000, imports reached 426,268 tons, a 19-percent increase over the same period in 1999, with Chile and Mexico as the main suppliers. Imports from Chile were up 27 percent during the first eight months of 2000 over the same period in 1999.

 

Greece

 

Despite early frosts, the 2000 table grape crop is estimated at 310,000 tons, 8 percent more than the previous year. Due to the larger supply, exports are estimated to increase about 8 percent to 310,000 tons and imports are expected to drop. Exports are significant, with 75 percent going to the European Union. Greece is a major producer and imports very little.

 

Japan

Japan’s grape production is relatively small and is expected to decrease slightly to 240,000 tons in 2000. Total Japanese grape imports are estimated at 12,500 tons, up almost 40 percent from 1999 levels.

Japan is among the top ten markets for U.S. table grape exports. Sales of U.S. grapes in Japan are expected to jump 5-10 percent this year to around 4,500 tons, boosted by good quality, competitive pricing, and a strong market. Chilean grapes have also become more popular and Japanese imports of Chilean grapes have jumped 86 percent to 7,681 tons in 2000.

 

Mexico

Production is expected to fall more than 10 percent to 167,000 tons, due to unfavorable weather conditions. New plantings, as well as replanting with new varieties, have been increasing mainly due to attractive prices in the international market.

Mexican exports for 2000 are expected to rise slightly to 100,000 tons, due to strong international demand. Mexican imports are estimated at 57,000 tons, an increase of 10 percent over 1999 levels. The United States and Chile are its largest suppliers but do not compete since U.S. suppliers export to Mexico during January/February and August/September, before and after the Mexican season, while Chile exports in June and July. Furthermore, U.S. table grape exporters have aggressively promoted their product while Chile has put few resources into Mexican promotion.

 

Spain

Production is expected to drop by 4 percent to 356,000 tons in 2000. Because of this, imports are expected to rise almost 20 percent in 2000. Imports in 1998 were 19,920 tons, slightly higher than the previous year. Italy and Chile were the largest suppliers, providing little opportunity for U.S. grapes.

Exports are expected to drop by 5 percent to 95,000 tons in 2000, due to the smaller supply. Spain is a net grape exporter, with Germany, Portugal, and France as its largest export markets.

Southern Hemisphere

The data for selected southern hemisphere countries has been revised in the semi-annual fresh deciduous attaché reports. Please see the grape tables in the individual fresh deciduous reports for the revised data. The fresh deciduous fruit reports containing grape data are required only for Chile, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, and Turkey. However, voluntary reports from other countries may also be available.

Beginning with this report, Production, Supply and Distribution (PS&D) tables for fresh grapes from France will be discontinued. This decision was necessitated due to declining Foreign Agriculture Service budget resources and the need to more strategically target remaining resources in support of the Agency’s primary mission to facilitate the expansion of export opportunities for U.S. produced agricultural commodities.

(The FAS Attaché Report search engine contains reports on the deciduous fruit industries for more than 20 countries, including Japan, Mexico, and South Africa. 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: Thursday, April 06, 2000