Table grape importers pen agreement to shift markets

Produce grower-shipper Divine Flavor and table grape breeder and licenser Sun World International have agreed to an enhanced collaboration deal for premium table grapes. If successful, the deal could reshape the Mexican table grape industry, the companies say.

The alliance's goal is to ensure consistent, promotable supplies of Autumncrisp brand grapes for North American markets and to introduce several promising, early ripening varieties for production in growing regions in Sonora, Mexico, according to a news release, which added that the strategic collaboration will:

• Deliver more premium table grapes to North American markets at key times of the year, bolstering volume for central holiday time frames.

• Bring more than 3 million boxes of Mexico-grown table grapes to market.

• Supply South American product from December through May with Sun World’s premium green seedless Autumncrisp branded grapes being the primary focus.

“We are ecstatic about being able to supply more volume of an excellent grape such as Autumncrisp and expanding its availability at key times of the year,” Carlos Bon, vice president of sales for Divine Flavor, said in the release. “Divine Flavor anticipates delivering Autumncrisp grapes from December to the end of May, ensuring volume of the mid-to-late season green grape from Christmas through Memorial Day weekend.”

The agreement was signed in Hermosillo, Mexico, at the offices of Grupo Alta, where Sun World CEO David Marguleas was joined by Alta/Divine Flavor President and CEO Alan Aguirre and Divine Flavor's Bon, alongside Petri van de Merwe, global licensing director for Sun World, and other members of the companies.

“We’re the only company who is capable of pulling this off, and we eagerly look forward to the opportunity,” Bon said in the release.  

The agreement will contribute significantly to the South American import deal, but a cornerstone of the agreement also involves Grupo Alta’s newer vineyard in Jalisco, Mexico — Don Mario — which produces grapes from the end of March to mid-May, as well as various parts of Sonora during the traditional Mexican table grape season.

“This strategic collaboration agreement between Sun World and Grupo Alta/Divine Flavor will result in expanded access to commercial volumes of new and superior Sun World grape varieties for discerning retailers and consumers throughout North America at important times of the year,” Marguleas said in the release.  

Shared history of trialing fruit varietals

It was nearly 20 years ago when Marguleas and Aguirre met and began exploring opportunities to bring new table grape and stone fruit varieties to Mexico. During that time, Sun World and Grupo Alta have worked together closely to trial new fruit varieties for adaptation to farms in Sonora and more recently in Jalisco, according to the release.

“Grupo Alta and Sun World share a commitment to innovation, to consistently delighting consumers, and developing unique growing regions like Jalisco. Together, over the past two decades, we have trialed new fruit varieties, gained insights into our companies, and have delivered several important new Sun World-bred table grapes to customers around the world,” Marguleas said in the release. “We are especially encouraged by Grupo Alta’s expanded supply of Autumncrisp brand grapes during the underserved April-May market window as well as the bold footprint they have established on their own farms and with affiliated producers throughout Sonora where several promising new Sun World varieties are being trialed.”

During the signing ceremony, the two companies announced plans for replacing older varieties with newer ones, including several red seedless varieties that will eventually replace the Flame seedless. Bon said that the company is constantly searching for the best varieties to grow, and it has aggressive plans to stay a step ahead when it comes to supplying newer varietals.

“Divine Flavor and Grupo Alta have excellent relationships with first class breeders around the world and this gave us the opportunity to trial certain varieties which we believe are the future of the grape industry. Autumncrisp brand grapes have proven to be a clear winner as the premium green seedless in the marketplace due to its outstanding flavor, proper aesthetics, and its ability to provide consumers with a great eating experience,” Bon said in the release.