California's table grape crop value rose by almost 4% last year to notch a record for the state at US$1.83 billion, with the majority consumed in the U.S. alongside a strong export result.

The value rise surpassed the increase in volume as well, which was up 1% at 110.5 million (19-pound equivalent) boxes. 

The California Table Grape Commission (CTGC) said 34.7% of the volume was exported with a value of US$737.8 million, with Canada the leading market by far, followed by Mexico, China/Hong Kong, the Philippines and Taiwan.

"Since the industry surpassed the 100 million box mark for the first time in its history in 2012, the total crop volume has seen three consecutive years over 110 million boxes," CTGA president Kathleen Nave said in a release.

The 2015 season total was the third largest crop volume in the industry’s history, just below the 2014 total of 110.9 million.

Grapes from California are available from May through January, and with the 2016 season only about six weeks away, the commission is gearing up its global campaign.

"The commission campaign focuses on motivating the trade to promote, and consumers to buy, more grapes from California more often," Nave said.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com