Peruvian grape production and exports are headed higher, according to the USDA.
An annual report on Peruvian deciduous fruit by the USDA estimates grape production in Peru will reach 766,000 metric tons in marketing year 2022-23, an increase of 7% compared with last season.
The USDA said Peruvian grape exports are forecast to reach a record 586,000 metric tons in 2022-23, 8% higher than a year ago. The U.S. will continue to be the lead export market, the USDA said.
In calendar year 2021, the U.S. imported 204,849 metric tons of Peruvian grapes, followed by the Netherlands with 86,846 metric tons and Hong Kong with 41,225 metric tons.
Trending higher
The USDA report said favorable weather conditions, good water supply, and growing demand for table grapes are driving this increase for Peruvian grape growers.
The country has a dry coast where daily temperatures consistently range between 57 degrees to 86 degrees Fahrenheit and over 12 hours of sunlight per day, year-round, the report said. That makes the region ideal for grape production.
“These conditions, combined with precision irrigation, enable Peru to mature vines 55% faster than in neighboring countries,” the report said. Grape production is mainly located in Ica (41%) and Piura (22%), with total area under cultivation is estimated at near 84,000 acres. The grape harvesting season in Peru begins in late October and ends in April.
The red globe variety continues to be the most produced (25%) grape due to consumer preference in the Chinese market, the USDA report said.
However, the report said the red globe variety has been losing ground to higher value varieties such as Sweet Globe (18%), Allison (7%), Autumn Crisp (6%), Sweet Celebration (5%), crimson seedless (5%), Jack’s Salute (4%) and Timpson (4%).
Export punch
Fresh table grapes are one of the top produce exports by value for Peru, the USDA said, with 2021 export value of $1.25 billion up 23% compared with 2020.
The overall export market averaged $2,436 per metric ton for Peruvian grape exports, 4% higher than in 2020. Prices for the U.S. market averaged $2,540. Peruvian grape exports to the U.S. peak between December and January due to seasonally higher prices.
