Argentina has launched an ambitious national grape programme that it hopes will see export values triple over the next 12 years.

Coviar, the Argentinean wine and table grape public-private partnership, launched its Strategic Table Grape Plan 2020 last week, with the announcement that it aims to reach $200 million in table grape exports by 2020.

Sendings from the South American country have been rising steadily from 14,000 tonnes in 1993 to 60,800t last year. Russia, the EU and Brazil are the main markets, with the EU countries leading on revenue earned.

The province of San Juan - already renowned for wine - produces some 95 per cent of the table grape volume. Sugraone and Italia dominate white production and Red Globe, Cardinal and Flame Seedless lead on red production. Argentina also has a black grape offer: Alphonse Lavallée, California and Black Seedless.

The main goals of the plan are to position Argentina’s grape sendings as a sustainable southern-hemisphere source and to take advantage of their counter-season availability in the northern hemisphere. The plan also commits to increasing domestic table grape consumption.

“Although the majority of grape production is destined to the wine sector, fresh table grapes are an attractive alternative for growers,” said the president of Coviar, José Molina.

He also revealed that Coviar is in negotiations with the Inter-American Development Bank to try to secure financial support for the project, which is also drawing in those small producers that have invested in new varieties and technology.

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