California table grapes are in the final months of the 2016 season – one characterised thus far by good fruit quality and heavy volume. Although berry size has at times been irregular, the lack of any early Autumn rains has kept fruit condition strong, thus facilitating exports. New, high-yielding table grape varieties continue to push packouts to the point where 2016 could be a record-setter.
According to an industry report issued in mid-October, year-to-date shipments stood at just under 61.9m cartons (8.62 kg), easily topping the previous record 60.1m cartons of 2014 for the same point in the season. The industry’s largest seasonal production of 117.5m cartons occurred in 2013; however, shipped volume at mid-October stood at only 58.1m cartons. If this year’s pace of shipments continues, it’s likely that the California table grape industry will easily exceed the record of three seasons ago, which would be no surprise to many industry veterans.
“It’s hard to know how much fruit is going to get packed in a given season these days as these new varieties continue to impress with their yields,” said commercial table grape inspector Todd Bassett. “Despite the drought, growers continue to plant more acreage every year.”
Some of the highest-yielding varieties are ones that mature in the late summer and early Autumn – most notably Autumn King (green) and Scarlet Royal (red). Although both became available to the industry only within the last decade or so, they are leading varieties respectively from California for tonnage supplanting Flame Seedless. Acreage of iconic varieties such as Thompson Seedless and Red Globe – the latter the traditional the favourite of export markets – is steadily dwindling.
“There used to be just Crimson Seedless and Red Globes for late-season red varieties, as well as Thompsons put up in storage for green grapes,” said Brian Crettol of Jasmine Vineyards. “Not any longer. With all these new varieties, there are plenty of red grapes available this time of year now.”
These include Sweet Celebration, Timco and Allison from the Sheehan Nurseries as well as Scarlotta Seedless from Sun World International.
“Green grapes are somewhat tighter in supply than reds at the moment,” said Crettol. “But there should be good availability for greens over the next couple of months as Autumn Kings are now coming on.”
