The forecast for Mexican table grape shipments to the U.S. has been lowered, according to the Mexican table grape growers association, or AALPUM.
The group’s March estimate of 25 million boxes has been revised downward to 21.3 million boxes, which was the total for last year’s crop, according to a news release.
U.S. season-to-date imports of Mexican grapes through June 11 totaled 223.3 million pounds or just over 12 million 18-pound cartons, down 6% from the same time last year, according to the USDA. Total U.S. imports of Mexican grapes last year were 362.99 million pounds, the USDA said.
“In the broadest terms, it can be said that the traditional, conventional varieties had more of a medium size, such as flame seedless, in May 2022, while “patented” varieties remained large to extra-large,” the group said in the release.
Sonoran grape volumes in May were also affected by the general supply-chain issues by a large presence of Chilean grapes in the U.S. and Canada, as well as an active market in Mexico, sending more product to Mexico, the group said.
“The challenges of a tight labor market also contributed to tough decisions on production and markets,” the group said. “After the Memorial Day weekend, Chilean grape supplies began to subside, U.S. and Canada retail demand increased, while the Mexico market stabilized.”
