The relatively cool spring period in the state of Sonora’s growing regions is expected to result in a later start to the Mexican table grape season this year.
However, once the deal gets underway, strong yields and above-average fruit quality should produce a crop of approximately 17m 8.2kg cartons.
If forecasts prove correct, the 2013 crop would be nearly a carbon copy of last season’s 16.9m cartons.
Producer organisation Asociación Agrícola Local de Productores de Uva de Mesa (Aalpum) issued a production forecast for the coming season at its annual summit held in Hermosillo in late April.
Although the Perlette, Flame seedless and Red Globe varieties are expected to be down somewhat in volume terms this year, strong increases in yields for both Sugraone and other varieties should more than make up the difference, according to Aalpum.
Just a few years ago, Mexico typically shipped a significant percentage of its annual table grape volume to the UK.
That is no longer the case as increased demand from nearby export markets in Central America, as well as domestically, has caused the Mexican industry to keep its production closer to home.
“Egypt has eroded much of Mexico’s market share in the UK,” explains John Pandol of Pandol Bros., based in Delano, California. “They once shipped as much as 10 per cent or more of their volume to the UK but I’m guessing its closer to 1-2 per cent these days.”
If all progresses without major interruption from the weather Mexico’s 2013 grape season should wind down towards the end of June as normal.
