ORLANDO, Fla. - Plentiful high-quality California grape supplies are expected into December, says Justin Parnagian, CEO for Fowler Packing, Fresno, Calif.
Big supply of grapes has made it a challenging marketing year at times, he says.
Through Oct. 20, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that season-to-date truck shipments of Central California grapes were running 7% higher than the same time a year ago.
The proliferation of varieties has improved consumer choices and quality of grapes available, but the sheer amount of similar varieties has created “white noise,” he says.
For Fowler Packing, Parnagian says the firm markets its strong position with good varieties throughout the whole season.
Rather than focus on individual varietals, Fowler’s message is to guarantee buyers that from July to December, they will be supplied with the most current most flavorful varieties available.
“What we’re selling is not variety specific, it is shipper specific,” he says. “You come to us and our portfolio from July to December, these are all varieties you are going to like,” he says.
The company also partners with the Wonderful Company to market Fowler’s substantial crop of easy-peelers under the Halos label, and that shipping season is just about to begin, he says.
