First crop grape is on the water and bound for Europe from north-east Brazil's São Francisco Valley. A vessel has set sail with around 60,000 boxes of Italia and four pallets of Festival.

However, significant quantities of Festival are expected to be loaded onto another vessel leaving Brazil on April 18 and availability will begin in earnest in early May.

Exporters from the region are still unsure of the effects of rare rainfall, which could have some say in the volume of fruit available for export. The unique and predictable climate in the valley - which enjoys constant temperatures of 36-38°C - allows for double and even triple cropping of grape. The rain was, for the area, quite severe, and the first crop was predicted to be lower than 2002's second crop as growers attempt not to overbear the trees.

The climate allows São Francisco's growers the flexibility to almost grow to order and therefore target specific markets and windows of opportunity. Red Globe, Crimson Seedless and Thompson Seedless will also be shipped in large volume.

While red grape supplies are stable, white grape will enter a short UK market, which according to one importer is likely to double in price in the next fortnight. But the Brazilians insist their aim is not to chase high prices or provide unnecessary competition in the marketplace, but to maximise their own potential to grow consistently to programmes.

'Our grape has attracted consistent prices in the last five years,' said a leading exporter. 'Second crop fruit will be available from the first week of October and whereas we moved out of the UK market before Christmas in 2002, there appears to be potential to extend that into January next year. We are not concerned about the competition and business is business - our ability to attract a decent price will determine the length of the season.'

Topics