In Chile, where grape varieties are changing, exports are expected to fall 7.7% this season

The Table Grape Committee of the Chilean Association of Fruit Exporters (ASOEX) has released its second assessment of the 2022/23 season, ASOEX's official website reported. The total export volume is expected to be 68.6 million boxes (8.2kg/ box), a decrease of 7.7% compared with the production season of 2021/22.

In its first assessment in early October, the Table Grape board had forecast a 4.9 per cent year-on-year decline in exports. Ivan Marambio, president of ASOEX, explained that although the second assessment was revised down by 2.8% from the first, the latest assessment showed an increase in exports of new varieties. This is not only compared to the previous assessment, but also related to traditional variety and Red Globe shipments, indicating that the industry is undergoing variety replacement, which explains why total shipments have seen a decline.

In terms of varieties, the export volume of new varieties is expected to exceed 36.74 million boxes, followed by 20.37 million boxes of traditional varieties and 11.49 million boxes of red Earth. In terms of grape appearance, the number of white grapes has increased and will reach 24.01 million cases, mainly Thompson Seedless and Sugraone; Red grapes are expected to be 26.63 million cases, with new offerings including Crimson Seedless, Flame Seedless and Perlon; The Black variety reached 6.47 million cases, with new varieties including Autumn Royal and Black Seedless.

Chilean table grape exports are expected to fall in all destinations compared with last season, the table grape Council said, with a 1 per cent drop expected in the US, a 9 per cent drop in Asia and a 27 per cent drop in Europe.

The United States will continue to be the main destination for Chilean table grapes, with an estimated volume of 38.62 million cases. Asia exports 14.8 million cases, Europe 9.12 million cases, the remaining 6.06 million cases will be exported to other markets.

The Table Grape Council will conduct four assessments of table grape exports this season, with the next two at the end of November and December. Exports will be assessed according to weather conditions, logistics freight rates, Labour conditions and global logistics conditions.