Oppy looks for grape volume boost in San Joaquin Valley

California’s San Joaquin Valley grape harvest is ready to boom, and The Oppenheimer Group expects a substantial volume increase this season.

Oppy officials anticipate a 20% boost in California grapes compared with last season, according to a news release. Harvest in the San Joaquin Valley will begin in mid-July.

“This is an exciting year for our grape category as a whole,” Marc Serpa, director of domestic grapes for Oppy, said in the release. “We’re strengthening our California program through innovation and increased volume. With depth in both domestic and overseas supply, we can now deliver high quality, flavor-forward grapes in volume, all year long.”

Among the new varieties Oppy will market this season are Krissy, Magenta, Timco, Allison, Ivory and Great Greens, according to the release.

 Oppy also is using agriculture technology and innovation for its San Joaquin Valley growers, with a focus on labor savings and yield estimation, the release said.

New trials are underway with Bloomfield Robotics’ proprietary FLASH camera, which collects data to be processed through deep learning AI to forecast yield down to the cluster level, informing decisions and enhancing the performance and health of every plant.

Successful shelf-life extension trials were undertaken in 2021, the release said.

“We’re looking forward to an excellent season, from starting in mid-July and carrying through to mid-December,” Serpa said in the release. “Our sales and business development teams are excited to deliver grapes with consistent sizing, high flavor and great crunch, assuring retail programs with strength and robustness.”