Brazilian table grape exports are anticipated to reach between 4,000 containers and 4,300 containers this season, according to European industry sources.
The 2010/11 forecast is down from last season’s 5,000-container pre-season estimate, which eventually fell to 3,100 containers following heavy mid-season rainfall.
“So far in 2010/11, the only problem production-wise has been with Sugraone fertility (similar to what happened in Egypt) as there is a great variation in the number of bunches between farms and blocks,” Geoff Green of Capespan told Fruitnet.com.
While Sugraone yields will show some decrease this season, the Thompson Seedless crop is said to be doing very well, with Crimson Seedless also showing good colouration.
Already there is a lot of interest in Brazilian grapes from European supermarkets because of the weather situation in Greece, according to Entse van der Woude of import group Timerfruit.
However, following the heavy rainfall in October last year suppliers are said to be slightly “nervous” about how the weather will behave in the months ahead given that 10-15mm of rainfall has already fallen in mid-September.
As a result, this season has been brought forward by one week, with harvesting for the European export deal beginning between weeks 37 and 44.
Meanwhile, harvesting of white seedless varieties for many suppliers is set to peak during weeks 39, 40 and 41.
