Table grape news Maturity insights

The sweet and the sour

2021/22 MATURITY INSIGHTS

Season delays due to weather events, low Brix levels and slower colouring presented challenges in consumer acceptance of domestic table grapes this season.

As the table grape maturity project continues, we take a look at some preseason and interim insights. Continued testing important

It’s no secret that growers must remain adaptive and responsive to hurdles in their way, and meeting maturity standards is no exception, according to maturity project technical lead Dr Andreas Klieber, of Quality Associates.

In the lead-up to picking in Emerald, Queensland, Brix levels were increasing steadily before weather events “virtually stopped further increases”.

“When monitoring Brix increases close to harvest, allowances need to be made for weather events. This year the low levels of sunlight due to overcast weather dramatically stalled the increase in Brix across all varieties” Andreas said.

Andreas said it was important for growers to be proactive, and continue testing just prior to harvest to ensure they weren’t harvesting fruit which hadn’t met the Brix requirements – even if the minimum average Brix may have already been met.

“While the minimum average Brix may be reached by a certain date, achieving 80 per cent grapes above the minimum Brix means waiting beyond reaching the minimum average Brix,” Andreas said.

Testing in the Mildura region in early January showed the variation in readiness for harvest not just between varieties, but also between areas in the same region. How did the results stack up?

Interim performance results from the table grape maturity project provided some interesting consumer insights. Project leader Tristan Kitchener, of Kitchener Partners, said consumer acceptability had taken a hit so far this season, with results showing a decline in repeat purchase.

“Most telling, regarding the impact on consumers, was that in 2020/21, eighty-five per cent of consumers repurchased grapes if they had a poor experience in December, but in 2021/22, only 50 per cent did,” Tristan said.

“This would have a significant compounding negative impact on sales, and likely encourage consumers to switch their fruit purchase to competitor products such as berries, mangoes and stone fruit.”

This season has been characterised by low Brix levels, with only 68 per cent of white grapes, and 77 per cent of both red and black grapes meeting consumer expectations in 2021/22.

Andreas said that comparative analysis of retailer testing in mid- and late March showed varying results.

Low Brix levels were not consistent across retailers, grape varieties, or week to week.

A variation was in place for Menindee grapes from Emerald, due to low sugar levels following significant rain events.

Andreas said while the average of all batches met the lowered requirement (15° Brix), individual patches still fell below the variation.

“A further dip in average was observed around the time of the change from northern to southern supply. This was, however, not necessarily the largest drop of Brix during the season, with white grapes showing large dips in Brix during November and February,” he said.

“Red Globe also consistently did not meet minimum requirements."

“Low Brix issues were not exclusive to generic varieties, but licensed varieties too. For example, the black grape varieties showed low values at times.” Despite mild weather and weather events evidently impacting colouring and sugar levels for both Sunraysia and Emerald growing regions, two thirds of grapes tested met maturity requirements. Careful management of blocks can therefore achieve minimum maturity requirements.

In early-to-mid-April, grapes above minimum Brix requirement increased to 84 per cent, indicating great eating quality grapes were available in the market at the end of this season.

ATGA CEO Jeff Scott said growers must keep maturity testing protocols front of mind for the remainder of the season and well into the future.

“Consumer acceptability has risen significantly over the past few years as a result of implementing national maturity standards,” Jeff said. “However, many other product categories are replicating our table grape maturity project and will raise their quality standards over time. As an industry, we cannot afford to become complacent.” “Consistently harvesting and selling only mature grapes allows us to bring new consumers into the community – and encourage existing consumers to purchase more often. Let’s continue to support the huge gains we’ve made.” v

“Most telling, regarding the impact on consumers, was that in 2020/21, 85 per cent of consumers repurchased grapes if they had a poor experience in December, but in 2021/22, only 50 per cent did,” Tristan said.

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