iQonsulting released its first estimates for table grapes in the Southern Hemisphere. It gave details of the potential for export, and if the temperatures this spring are mild for growing, Chile’s output could reach 893,904 tons.

Chilean table grape production will undergo a recovery in the 2010-11 season, after recording a big reduction in production volume last season because of different climate events in spring 2009.

This is what iQonsulting (www.iqonsulting.com) reported in its first export estimate of table grapes for the Southern Hemisphere for the 2010-11 season, released Sept. 10, 2010.

Until this date, the northern zone has had few major problems, except in the high areas in the Copiapo Valley, where there was frost with temperatures ranging from 26.6 to 29.3 degrees Fahrenheit, jeopardizing the buds of most of the varieties that had reached about 4 to 9.8 inches tall. It is estimated that that loss will be around 250,000 boxes, or 2,000 tons less,  and while it is important in high area of Copiapo, for Region III, it represents less than 2 percent.

In Region V in the south,  vine growth is starting, and because of a big accumulation of chilling hours this winter, a bigger production than the 2009-10 season is predicted. Also, bigger exports are expected.

In sum,  with respect to the potential for export,  if the temperatures this spring are mild for growing, exports could reach 893,904 tons, equivalent to 11.9 percent more than last season. About 116,000 and 163,000 tons would come from the north (Regions III and V, respectively).

As for the types of table grapes, the major growth in volume would come from seedless whites (Thompson S. y Sugraone), and then the Flame Seedless.

Source:  Fresh Fruit Portal