The U.S. imported higher volumes of table grapes in the first quarter of the year despite a slight decline in shipments from its main supplier.

The country imported 317,000 metric tons (MT) of grapes between January and March, compared to 303,000MT last year and 271,000MT two years ago, according to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service data.

Exports from Chile - the leading supplier  - saw 3% year-on-year drop to 235,000MT, bringing it on par with 2016.

Peru, meanwhile, saw a 33% increase from 61,000MT to 81,000MT - double the volume shipped in the same period two years ago.

While the U.S.'s imports of grape in the first quarter of this year rose by only 5%, the FOB value of the shipments jumped by 12% to US$853 million.

The value of Chile's shipments remained almost unchanged between 2017 and 2018, while Peru saw its value increase by 48% to US$276 million.

The per-kilo price achieved by Peruvian grapes was US$3.41 (up from US$3.08 last year), compared to Chile which fetched US$2.44 (up from US$2.37 last year).

Shipments of South African table grapes to the U.S. have been steadily rising but remain low, growing to 1,226MT over the last three years.

Brazil also went from no exports in 2016 to 225MT this year.

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