TABLE GRAPE NEWS
Trading places As Australian table grape growers and exporters reach the culmination of their year-long efforts, we widen our view to global trade and production. Australia's production is expected to remain roughly at 210,000220,000 tonnes in 2021/22 after a challenging year, but what is the world experiencing? Adverse weather affected many Southern and Northern Hemisphere growing nations, with global production remaining roughly unchanged last year at 24.7 million tonnes.
China offset weather-induced losses, as the largest producer of table grapes globally. Continued enhancements in crop management techniques led to higher volumes and strengthened imported fruit quality, with the country continuing its stronghold on production with 11 million tonnes. Global trade in table grapes reported by United Nations Comtrade in 2019 was 4.5 million tonnes worth AU$11.2 billion equivalent. Global trade volume increased on average by 1 per cent per year over the past five years, meaning almost 20 per cent of table grape production is traded.
MAJOR NORTHERN HEMISPHERE TABLE GRAPE PRODUCERS & MARKET SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE TABLE GRAPE PRODUCERS & MARKET SUPPLIERS
Countries like Turkey, Italy and Chile experienced severe weather events, as production held steady or declined.
Over 20 years the trade in table grapes has increased from 2.5 million tonnes to 4.5 million tonnes with trade to Asia influencing the growth particularly from 2009 to 2018. v
CHILE
PERU
SOUTH AFRICA
Chile is the world’s largest exporter of table grapes. However, the trend has fallen 8 per cent per year over the past five years. Exports also dipped 13 per cent to 524,278 tonnes in 2020/21 (12 per cent of global exports), with an average export unit value of AU$3.61 per kg.
Peru is a rapidly expanding producer and exporter of table grapes and now exceeds the production of Chile. In 2020 Peru produced 665,000 tonnes of table grapes. Peru’s dry coast, combined with precision irrigation, enables Peru to mature vines 55 per cent faster than in neighbouring countries.
South Africa is the largest table grape producer in Africa and produced almost 400,000 tonnes, according to industry data.
In 2020/21 United States (US) was the main destination, accounting for 49 per cent of Chile’s table grape exports by volume, followed by China with 15 per cent. Exports to China decreased 30 per cent in the year-on-year, due to the supply capability and logistics impacted by the pandemic. Korea and Japan are also important Asian markets for Chile, though both were around 5 per cent lower in the year. Export season: January to May
Grape production is mainly located in Ica (41 per cent) and Piura (22 per cent), estimated at 31,500 hectares. In 2020/21 Peru exported 465,777 tonnes of table grapes, with an average export unit value of AU$3.16 per kg. The US was the main destination (42 per cent) by volume, followed by Europe (25 per cent share), and Asia (16 per cent). Peru commenced supplying to mainland China in 2016. Export season: October to February
References: USDA report on global grape production, NCX Drahorad, Fruitrop
16 VINE MAGAZINE
In 2020/21 South Africa exported 384,297 tonnes of table grapes, or 90 per cent of production with an average export FOB unit value of AU$2.49 per kg. The volume was 15 per cent higher than the previous year, reflecting a production increase. Europe strengthened its position as the main destination accounting for 75 per cent of all exports by volume followed by Asia and Middle east markets. Exports to China dropped 13 per cent facing stronger competition from Peru. South Africa does not have access to Japan, Korea or Thailand, and has even greater challenges than Australia with entry to Indonesia. Export season: December to March
