California grape shippers breaking volume records

California table grape growers are shipping record amounts as their season nears an end.

From Oct. 13 to Nov. 30, the industry shipped more than 27.7 million 19-pound boxes to domestic and export markets, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, beating the previous seven-week record during that time frame set in 2013.

California grape grower-shippers also broke the record for the three-month shipping period from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, with more than 55 million boxes of grapes, according to the California Table Grape Commission. The previous record was also set in 2013.

Shippers also set a new record for the five-week period of Sept. 8-Oct. 12.

Kathleen Nave, president of the commission, attributes the shipping records to an aggressive fall and winter campaign, which is continuing. Shipments are expected to continue through the end of January.

According to the USDA, on Dec. 7, f.o.b.s for 19-pound boxes of crimson seedless from the Kern District were $16.95-$18.95 for large/extra-large, compared to $20.95-$22.95 on the same date in 2017. Boxes of autumn king grapes from Kern on Dec. 7 were $16.95-$19.95 for large/extra-large, compared to $20.95-$22.95 a year ago, according to the USDA.