China Set To Surpass Chile as World’s Second-Largest Grape Exporter

According to the Fresh Apples, Grapes, and Pears: World Markets and Trade report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, global fresh table grape production for the 2023/24 season is forecast to reach 28.1 million metric tons, as favorable growing conditions in India and China offset weather-related losses in the European Union, Turkey and the United States. With an increase of more than 150,000 metric tons compared with last season, this marks the fifth consecutive year of growth for the industry. However, because of reduced exports from the United States, Peru and Turkey, global export volume is projected to decrease by 200,000 metric tons, falling to 3.5 million metric tons.

China’s table grape production is projected to rise by 750,000 metric tons to 13.5 million metric tons, setting another record high following five years of consecutive growth. With this abundant domestic supply, China’s imports are expected to decrease by more than 40,000 metric tons to a total of 135,000 metric tons, while exports are forecast to increase by more than 25% to 490,000 metric tons. This will make China the second-largest exporter of table grapes after Peru.

Table grape production in the European Union is forecast to decrease by nearly 250,000 metric tons to 1.3 million metric tons owing to weather-related losses in Italy. In the United States, the impact of Hurricane Hilary during the peak harvest season in California led to the lowest yields in more than 30 years, with production decreasing by an estimated 19% to 650,000 metric tons.

Benefiting from favorable winter weather conditions, table grape production in South Africa is expected to increase by 52,000 metric tons, reaching 370,000 metric tons, close to the record levels registered in the 2021/22 season. Meanwhile, exports are projected to increase by nearly 20%, rising to 340,000 metric tons.

Peru’s table grape production is expected to increase only slightly to 776,000 metric tons, as the El Niño phenomenon has limited potential growth. The resulting heavy rains and high temperatures have negatively impacted grape quality, reducing the supply of export-grade fruit. Consequently, export volume is forecast to decline by nearly 100,000 metric tons, falling to 525,000 metric tons. Despite this decline, Peru remains the world’s largest exporter of table grapes, ahead of both China and Chile.

Owing to a continued reduction in planting area, Chile’s table grape production is expected to decrease by 20,000 metric tons to 635,000 metric tons, continuing a decade-long trend of declining production volumes. Despite increased shipments to the United States, Chile’s total export volume is forecast to drop by 16,000 metric tons to 480,000 metric tons. If the projections prove correct, Chile will have dropped from the world’s largest exporter to the number three spot in the space of just two years.

Images: Pixabay (main image), USDA (body image)

This article was based on a Chinese article. Read the original article.