The Mexican grape season was marked by a drop in prices in the U.S. market, making it more attractive for producers, in some cases, to leave the fruit in the domestic market.
Representative from the phytosanitary certification sub-department of SAG, Jaime Álvarez, outlined the details of the program and provided recommendations to producers who wish to be part of the initiative.
This measure will make it possible to replace fumigation with an inspection system for the shipment of fresh grapes from the Atacama, Coquimbo and part of Valparaíso regions to the Aztec market.
Similar to Mexico and Coachella, Central California is experiencing a delay of approximately 10-14 days in its harvest.
After a high-priced early Jalisco deal, Mexico’s traditional Sonoran production was delayed and otherwise set back by unseasonably chilly temperatures.
Sonoran grapes are now roaring into the marketplace, after a slow start which caused historically high prices.
Many U.S. retail shelves for grapes are empty this June due to unusually cold weather in key Sonoran grape districts near the Arizona border which means all grapes from the region are late.
Moving into the 2023 Sonora season, Nogales-based company Divine Flavor is expected to improve upon last season's numbers.
“This year, unfortunately we have had half the sizing we saw last season. We’ve never come across a similar situation,” said AALPUM managing director Juan Alberto Laborin.
Daytime weather has been cooler slowing the ripening process of the table grapes, and therefore, their harvest.
