Low Chilean grape quality in Europe has played into India's hands, while across the Atlantic the South American exporting nation recorded strong prices.

European retailers have been rejecting higher volumes of Chilean grapes than usual due to quality issues, while interest in Indian grapes has been strong.

The first lots of Indian grapes arrived recently and have made a good impression on buyers, unlike Chilean grapes where some varieties suffered decay problems, shortening storage time to a few weeks.

Varieties such as Thompson white seedless have been particuarly badly affected by variable climate conditions, although reds such as Crimson and Red Globe have fared better.

HillFresh procurement manager for Latin America Paul Postema described the situation as beneficial for India.

"This offers an opportunity for Indian grapes, this season they are in good condition with good brix without decay. We are very optimistic for Indian grapes."

He said his company received the first lot of Indian grapes last week and was getting requirements from German retailers.

Two years ago German retailers rejected all Indian grapes when they discovered minimum residue levels were above European Union regulations.

Roveg commercial director Herold Hage said this season Indian grapes were in a strong position.

"The quality is very good this year with regards to brix levels and sheen. We are very satified."

He said his organization would be selling Indian grapes to Scandinavian, Belgian, French and Eastern European supermarkets.

Wilko Fruit manager Jan Willem Arts, agreed Chilean grapes had suffered decay problems with grapes sold to wholesalers rather than retailers and fetching EUR10 per 8.2 kilogram box compared with EUR11-12 euros last year.

"Everyone is now hoping the market for Indian grapes should be better. We started receiving Indian grapes last week and their condition was acceptable. There was a litle bit of skin damage but no decay and they are healthy," said Arts.

Chilean grapes in the U.S.

Meanwhile, Chilean grape exports to the U.S. are estimated to be 10% lower than the previous year due to tough weather conditions.

Chilean consultancy Inglobo predicts the final figure will show a 6% year-on-year decrease at 46 million boxes, compared with 49 million the previous season.

The falls have been widespread throughout a range of varieties. Crimson, for example, ended the season with a 7.6% year-on-year decrease to 10.5 million cases.

Thompson shipments are projected to fall short of 10 million boxes - a 9.2% decrease on the past three-year average of 13.4 million.

Inglobo managing partner Mariano Allende, said Thompson grapes had commanded high prices of between US$24-30, depending on the quality, and in some cases more than US$30.  Crimson grapes were fetching between US$22 -26.

He said the market was keeping hold of consignments for about six weeks because there was no competition until mid May when Mexican shipments arrive.

Related stories: Indian grape exporter consider E.U. shipment delay

Chilean Thompson grape season to close a fortnight early

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