August through November represents a prime time for California grapes.
USDA statistics show that in 2022, California shippers moved nearly 80% of their crop in those four months: 21% in August, 21% in September, 21% in October and 16% in November, followed by 9% in December.
While imported grapes account for a rising percentage of the total U.S. grape supply (46% in 2021, up from 40% in 2010), less than 15% of total imported grapes arrived in the August through December period in 2022. Sixty-five percent of imported grapes were shipped to the U.S. from January through April, according to 2022 numbers from the USDA.
Per capita consumption of grapes has been steadily rising in the past 10 years.
Here is the U.S. per capita retail availability of grapes, according to USDA numbers.
- 2010: 7.3 pounds.
- 2011: 6.7 pounds.
- 2012: 6.9 pounds.
- 2013: 7.1 pounds.
- 2014: 7 pounds.
- 2015: 7.2 pounds.
- 2016: 7.4 pounds.
- 2017: 7.5 pounds.
- 2018: 7.4 pounds.
- 2019: 7.7 pounds.
- 2020: 7.5 pounds.
- 2021: 7.7 pounds.
(Source: USDA)
