GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GRAPES

Outside Europe, California is dealing with harvest volumes exceeding shipments after an early season caused varieties to overlap, while Egypt's campaign showed differing results between white and red seedless grapes. In South Africa, Northern Cape vineyards are beginning to bud ahead of the new season, with the first flowering expected shortly. Weather conditions, overlapping origins, and competition from other summer fruit continue to influence table grape markets across the main producing and consuming regions.Netherlands: Italian grapes dominate the marketItalian grapes are currently flooding the market. "Temperatures in the fields reached 42°C on Monday, so the heat is certainly having an impact. The high temperatures have pushed up sugar levels, meaning that not all grapes are suitable for export. However, the fruit that is being exported is of excellent quality. The high sugar content is also doing wonders for the flavour," says a Dutch importer."In recent years, Italy has seen a lot of experimentation with new grape varieties, but the range is now starting to narrow, with just a handful of varieties emerging as the clear favourites. One of the biggest developments is the widespread planting of Autumn Crisp. Almost all new vineyards are being planted with this variety. That is not necessarily a bad thing, as it is one of the best-tasting grapes around, but its price premium has now largely disappeared," the importer says."Demand for grapes is currently good, but prices are actually a little too low considering the high costs involved. Supplies from other origins are limited at the moment. The Egyptian season is now completely over, and it was far from successful for everyone. We always stop sourcing from Egypt as soon as Italian volumes pick up. We are also seeing fewer Greek grapes on the Western European market. Increasingly, Greek grapes are making their way to the Balkans instead. I understand that the heat has also resulted in a significant amount of lower-quality fruit being offered in Greece, although volumes remain high."With Italian grapes, we can continue supplying the market until early December, although the weather remains a risk. Just a few days of bad weather can quickly turn the market around," the importer concludes.Italy: Market remains stable but uncertainEven after 15 August, a period when a recovery is usually expected, the Italian table grape market remains stable but uncertain. Demand is patchy in both Italy and other markets due to the ongoing heatwave, the gradual return from summer holidays, and cautious consumers. The current situation is fairly flat, with general uncertainty across all varieties, both seeded and seedless. Consequently, demand remains uneven, with days of high demand alternating with quieter periods. Consumption is not being held back by product quality, as grapes are very good this year, but by strong competition from other summer fruits, which are more affordable and therefore preferred by price-conscious consumers. Furthermore, the sector is facing price pressure from competition with Egypt and Spain, as well as rising energy and irrigation costs. However, the season has yet to realise its full potential.The harvest of the Italia variety, known as "the undisputed queen of table grapes", began in Sicily around 10 August and in Apulia in the last few days. The Sicilian crop is of a high standard, with a sugar content of 20-21 °Brix, a crisp texture, good shelf life, and favourable health conditions. Volumes remain stable, with signs of a slight potential increase in yields, while commercial prospects are characterised by cautious optimism. Apulia's Italia grapes also have an excellent organoleptic profile. For some producers, the season began a few days ago, while for others it is about to start, with activity expected to get fully underway from next week.According to YouGov figures, grapes continue to consolidate their position in the shopping baskets of Italian households, reaching a market penetration rate of over 67 per cent in the year ending June 2026. This represents steady growth compared with the previous two years. Purchase frequency has risen to over eight purchases per year among households buying grapes, while the quantity purchased per occasion has fallen. Consequently, average spending per purchase has fallen below €3.On the supply side, YouGov highlights that organic produce continues to represent a growth opportunity, with a market penetration rate of 11 per cent indicating consumer interest in healthy, wellbeing-focused products. Supermarkets remain the main channel for grape purchases, further strengthening their position. Discount stores, the second most important channel, continue to grow, while specialist shops, markets, and small retailers play a more niche role.Germany: Season gains momentumThe European grape season is gradually gaining momentum. "Volumes and prices have been consistently good so far, although the better varieties of Italian origin will only start to hit the market as we head into autumn. From now on, for example, we are offering Muscat grapes, followed by Pizzutello. Meanwhile, we expect the final deliveries of Victoria grapes in calendar week 37. On the sales side, grape sales are not expected to really take off until after the holidays, i.e. from mid-September," explains a wholesale trader.Meanwhile, the Turkish Sultana grape season is getting off to a relatively late start, which is attributed to a lack of colour development and low Brix values. Larger quantities are expected from mid-September onwards.Belgium: Seedless season gains momentumThe Italian grape season is expected to gain momentum in the coming weeks. "The Italian grape season is really getting underway in the coming weeks," says a Belgian importer. "We are seeing that seedless varieties are particularly important. We have been working with the first seedless grapes for around three to four weeks now. The early varieties got underway some time ago, but the really good varieties are now coming onto the market. This week, for example, we received our first Autumncrisp grapes."He is positive about the remainder of the grape season. "The quality, volumes and sizing all look good, and demand for seedless grapes continues to grow. The trend towards seedless grapes has been ongoing for years. The quality and sizes are there, so I expect us to have a good season ahead. The start of the Autumncrisp season does not mean that the earlier grape varieties suddenly disappear from the market, by the way. The transition is generally gradual. Growers are professionals, and the transition between varieties usually runs very smoothly. The market is now expected to pick up further in the coming weeks. The really good qualities are on their way. If expectations regarding quality and sizing are met, we are confident that it could be a very good grape season."Greece: Exports down 28%Weather conditions this season have favored the development of a large, high-quality Greek grape crop, with the exception of late varieties in Kavala, which suffered damage from an outbreak of downy mildew.However, sales have been progressing at a very slow pace for several weeks. Official export data show that just 9,830 tons had been exported by the end of August, down 28 per cent compared with last season's already low exports.Greek seeded varieties finished the season at very low prices.Seedless varieties from Corinth and Kavala are facing strong competition from several origins, namely Italy, Spain, North Macedonia, and, especially, Turkey. Growers are currently receiving only €0.70/kg.Greek exporters say they have little ability to influence the situation and can only hope that, after September 20, the market will ease as Italian and Spanish supplies decline, allowing prices to recover.France: Demand picks up after AugustThe French table grape market is gradually picking up after a particularly quiet August, with the back-to-school period marking the beginning of a transition towards autumn products. Although stone fruit remains present in retail, grapes are progressively gaining space, supported by satisfactory quality across the main European origins, including Italy, Spain, Portugal and France. Early Italia grapes are showing well-formed bunches, good calibres and eating quality, while Chasselas has been more affected by drought, resulting in smaller berries.The transition from summer fruit to grapes is nevertheless less pronounced than in the past, as milder Septembers allow peaches, nectarines and plums to remain on the market for longer. Still, September remains an important month for grapes in France, with the product benefiting from renewed consumer interest and improving quality.Prices are currently lower than last season, reflecting stronger competition between origins, higher overlapping volumes and pressure from late-season stone fruit. However, they remain considered acceptable, and the return to more regular shopping patterns should help improve sales and rotations in the coming weeks.Portugal: Harvest expected to finish 15 days earlierThe Portuguese grape season is off to a positive start, with higher productivity and improved fruit quality. Larger volumes of bigger, higher-quality grapes are expected this season. Demand remained sluggish throughout August but is now showing some signs of returning to normal, although it remains below previous years. No particular export market is currently standing out in terms of demand.Prices remain stable, with no indications of unusually high volatility at this stage. Early varieties are ripening sooner than usual, meaning the 2026 harvest is expected to finish around 15 days earlier than in previous years. Overall, the season is developing positively, with a focus on higher productivity, improved quality, and higher-value varieties.Spain: Market volatility continuesThe Spanish table grape campaign is running at full capacity in the Region of Murcia and Alicante. So far, Spanish grapes have faced a volatile market. At the start of the Spanish season, the market was relatively clear, as the harvest arrived a few days late on the coast and there were delays from Egypt. However, from late July onwards, consumption slowed, which is common in August as it coincides with the summer holiday season and an abundant supply of other fruits. At the same time, there has been considerable overlap with supplies from Egypt and Italy. Furthermore, seedless cultivation in Italy continues to grow rapidly.Austria: Italian grapes priced at €3–€3.60 per kgIn Austria, grapes have recently been of impressive quality. Prices for Italian produce stood at €3–€3.60 per kg. In addition, consignments from Brazil, Egypt, South Africa, and Peru were also on offer.North America: Harvest volumes exceed shipmentsIn California, more grapes are currently being harvested than shipped. Growers are having to pick early, as otherwise they risk losing supply or the fruit becoming overmature.Uncertainty around supply volumes is largely due to the season's early start. Higher-than-normal temperatures this spring pushed the season almost three weeks ahead, and in some cases four weeks, depending on the variety. Varieties are also overlapping, particularly green grapes, although this is now starting to occur with red grapes as well.As for demand, program business is average, with pre-set pricing, while the spot market is non-existent. There has also been a mismatch in promotional activity, with retailers largely waiting until September to promote grapes rather than adjusting their schedules to accommodate the larger volumes available.An early end to the California table grape season is inevitable, and movement is expected to start picking up again in the next 10 days or so.Brazil: Logistics and tariffs remain challengingAfter a first half of the year affected by rains that reduced quality and limited exports, the sector expects a "normal" second half as the usual warm and dry weather returns. The 37.5% U.S. tariff has practically closed that market to conventional varieties, while the EU-Mercosur agreement and the elimination of the British tariff are opening opportunities in Europe. However, there is a risk of price pressure due to the concentration of supply.The main challenge remains logistics. Higher maritime freight costs, new minimum rates for land transport, and port congestion are increasing operating costs for the September-December season.Peru: Arequipa extends export windowThe 2026 season started earlier than usual, extending the export window from April to December and allowing suppliers to fill gaps in Asian markets. The El Niño phenomenon is creating uncertainty, although its expected impact in the south of the country would be lower than in other producing regions.A substantial increase in volume is projected compared with the previous season. Prices started at higher levels due to demand, although the arrival of other origins is beginning to moderate them. Red Globe continues to lose ground to seedless varieties such as Autumn Crisp and Sweet Globe.Chile: Season awaits start as weather remains uncertainThe Chilean harvest has not yet started, with the season due to begin in November, meaning there are currently no firm volume estimates. The main uncertainty concerns the weather, as it remains unclear whether the El Niño phenomenon will occur or whether it will bring rains that could affect the start of the season.Given this outlook, the sector prefers not to release figures until there is greater clarity on the conditions under which the harvest will begin.Egypt: White and red varieties divergeThis season's Egyptian table grape campaign has been marked by contrasting developments between white and red varieties. White seedless varieties arrived more than a week earlier than last year, providing exporters with the sought-after early campaign. The grapes showed good size and firmness for EU and UK markets, although early harvests had low Brix levels. Red grapes lagged 10-12 days behind white varieties, while Red Flame Seedless experienced considerable splitting due to extreme heat-cold fluctuations during sizing and coloring, compounded by a week-long harvest pause over Eid. As a result, Flame quality was below par this year, and growers are expected to reduce cultivation next season in favor of newer varieties such as Ivory, Sweet Globe and Sweet Celebration, around which EU supermarkets are already planning larger programs, according to industry sources.Geopolitics also affected the campaign. The conflict in the Middle East made exporters wary of risking long transit times to Far East markets, redirecting volumes towards Europe and South Africa instead. At the same time, the instability disrupted Indian grape arrivals into the UK and Europe, providing an unexpected opportunity for Egypt that temporarily eased the usual squeeze between India's earlier season and Spain's later one.According to exporters, one clear weak point of the season has been value rather than volume. While the share of grapes exported continues to rise, per-unit value has not kept pace this season, with more frequent promotional campaigns putting pressure on margins.South Africa: Northern Cape vineyards begin buddingIn South Africa's Northern Cape, vineyards are budding, and the first vineyards are expected to be in flower by the end of next week."The season could be three to five days earlier; there are 53 weeks this year, so the starting time ought to be the same as last year: week 47," says a grape grower along the Orange River.The previous season was complicated by unexpectedly large Peruvian grape volumes in South Africa's traditional markets of the UK and the EU, coupled with port inefficiencies. China's rise as a grape producer is also affecting the market.Imported grapes are averaging €4 per kilogram, up 21 per cent in a week, with prices expected to remain high until the end of November, when the local season resumes.Next Topic: GingerPublication date: Fri 4 Sep 2026© FreshPlaza.com / Stefan Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen