IFG sees table grape innovation sustaining consumer demand

As table grape variety innovations continue, so will consumption and the production needed to satisfy consumers’ demand for diverse and flavorful fruit.  

The same innovation that’s driving changes in the apple category, with consumers leaving traditional varieties behind in favor of newer, managed varieties, is happening to a degree in the table grape industry, according to Andy Higgins, CEO of table grape breeder International Fruit Genetics (IFG), Bakersfield, Calif.

Higgins recently shared predictions for the industry for 2021 and beyond, and it’s clear that consumer preferences are changing.

“As consumers look beyond seasonal fruit production and move towards favoring a 52-week supply of their favorite grape, table grape production is continually increasing around the globe,” Higgins said in an e-mail. “The consumer is beginning to recognize new varieties that are bringing excitement and mouthwatering flavors to a previously rather dull red, green and black offerings,”.
IFG has 15 varieties in both hemispheres around the globe, for a year-round supply.

Consumers are more discerning and have more sophisticated palates, which brings higher expectations beyond the traditional trio of colored grapes, and the category is moving beyond a commodity to a premium choice, Higgins said.

“They are now beginning to appreciate that grapes can have unique and outstanding flavor, texture, and crunch that keep them coming back for more,” he said.

Grapes will also benefit from the higher priority that consumers are placing on healthy food choices, and by providing a flavorful and unique product, the table grape industry can increase demand.

Consumers build an emotional connection with brands and varieties over time, he said, such as with apples, when consumers choose a granny smith or the Pink Lady brand.

“This is happening with table grapes too as consumers become familiar with certain varieties such as Sweet Globe and Cotton Candy,” Higgins said. “In order to capture this type of brand connection, developers will brand new releases with names and logos that create excitement, resonate with the consumer, and create a unique experience that is unforgettable.”

Finally, fruit breeders will continue to protect long-term investments through infringement cases in courts.

“In the past, most grape varieties were created with public funding and supported by universities and government agencies, but now the industry is more dependent on private funding so breeding companies will protect their innovations that take several years and a multitude of resources to produce,” Higgins said.

In May, IFG announced it is taking steps to protect its varieties from intellectual property theft in China; it has registered trademarks for varieties in English and Chinese, including the Tian Mi Lan Bao Shi trademark, the counterpart of Sweet Sapphire, a popular variety in China.

IFG’s grape varieties include Cotton Candy, Funny Fingers, and more than a dozen with “sweet” in the name, including Sweet Sapphire, Sweet Surrender and Sweet Celebration. In August, the company released 21 new logos for many of its varieties.