Members of the industry and exporters see this as a great opportunity to test out the system and see how it could be implemented in other regions of the country, as well as other export markets like the U.S.

Optimistic headlines are being shared in in the Peruvian press because a comparison is being made with the previous season, in the same months and, due to the early harvest of the current season.

U.S. retailers are focused on table grape imports and fruit in cold storage as the local harvest period has come to an end.

U.S. table grape imports for 2023-24 are forecast to rise slightly to 760,000 tons, assuming normal Panama Canal shipping volumes.

Piura will export below 20 million boxes this year, 10 million less than last season.

Exports are expected to remain nearly unchanged at 3.7 million tons, with greater shipments coming from Chile and China making up for losses from Turkey and the U.S.

Grape producers and exporters worldwide have experienced a process of change and stress marked by climatic factors, the Covid-19 pandemic, logistical issues in origin and destination, and the cultivation of new varieties that have not achieved expected results. 

While table grapes as a category are moving forward with greatly improved varieties on offer, the sector has not been without challenges.  Severe and erratic weather events around the world have impacted California and Peruvian volumes.  

This season’s production volume would represent the third-highest export result on record of 140,000 metric tons.

The USDA report notes a declining trend in the table grape planting area due to long-term economic challenges, including increased international competition and low prices for traditional grape varieties.