A tight grape supply situation has become tougher as weather conditions in Brazil compound the situation. With supplies from California so short, a lot of Brazilian senders planned to focus on the US market. But with Greece unable to carry supplies on in Europe until first arrivals from South Africa, Brazilian exporters have been courted by the UK. However, continuing rainfall in the Latin country is throwing this into question. “Brazilian exporters are now likely to consider switching their focus back to the US market as fruit condition is being threatened by the rains,” one importer said. “They may just not want to take the risk of the fruit holding up on the longer journey to the UK.”

The grape category has suffered a difficult year so far and this looks likely to continue as South African temperatures have been lower than usual.

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