California grape shipments running slightly stronger than 2020

California grape shipments were running ahead of the same time last year through late August, and market conditions were similar to a year ago.

Through Aug. 21, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that season-to-date shipments of grapes from central California totaled 23.4 million 19-pound cartons, up from 22.3 million cartons shipped the same time a year ago.

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Total grape shipments from central California last year, according to the USDA, were 85.4 million 19-pound cartons.

Based on last year’s shipment pace, nearly three-quarters of California grape crop remained to be shipped in late August of this. 

Market conditions at the end of August for Kern District white seedless grapes were $18.95-22.95 per carton, exactly the same range as a year ago.

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Kern District red seedless grapes were priced at $19.95-24.95 per carton, compared with $19.95-23.95 per carton last year at the same time.

For organic grapes, the USDA reported Kern District red seedless at $24.95-30.05 per carton on Aug. 30, up slightly from $23.95-26.95 per carton a year ago. Kern District white seedless organic grapes on Aug. 30 were $24.95-30.95 per carton, similar to $24.95-28.95 per carton at the same time a year ago.

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Sysco’s Aug. 26 Market Watch report said California green grapes were mostly steady on good volume. 

“Red grape volume has improved as the weather has cooled allowing for color and maturity to progress,” according to the report.

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