Californian produce variety developer Sun World has signed two new Peruvian partners to develop its exclusive grape varieties in the Andean country, which is expected to become the leading supplier of the fruit to China in 2014-15.

During the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Summit in Anaheim, Sun World executive vice president David Marguleas told www.freshfruitportal.com that Ecoacuicola S.A.C became a licensee a few months ago, while Agricola Chapi came on board a week prior to the event.

"We've made a couple of new appointments in Peru to supplement the presence we had in both Ica and Piura with our existing licensees, so the Sun World varieties will play a bigger and bigger role in the Peruvian grape industry in the years ahead," he said.

The two companies join existing licensees Camposol and Agricola Don Ricardo.

"The varieties are just getting established in Peru, so the commercial production is available in Agricola Don Ricardo in Ica, and the other three are in the process of establishing vineyards with varieties sold under brands like Midknight Beauty, Sable Seedless and Scarlotta, and a couple of our other late season varieties," Marguleas said.

"We had a technical team in Peru last week looking at some of our tests blocks and some of our commercial plantings. I think everybody is encouraged about the upcoming crop."

He said that while Peru had traditionally shipped large volumes of seeded Red Globe varieties to the Asian market, the country was increasingly seeing a conversion to seedless vineyards, along with new plantations with seedless varieties in Ica and Piura.

"There's a great deal of interest not only in replacing Red Globes for the Far East market, but also for the European continent and the North American market," the executive added.

He also discussed expectations for other Southern Hemisphere growing regions.

"I'm going to be in Australia in a couple of weeks visiting our Australian grape and stonefruit growers. The season's looking excellent," he said.

"In South Africa they've had some inclement weather, some hail in the Northern Cape region which I'm sure they'll work through, and the Chilean production also promises to be a good crop."

Photo: Sun World

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