California set new record for table grape crop value in 2014
California’s table grape growers also harvested second highest volume ever
- New crop value record of $1.76 billion (€1.62b)
- Second largest crop ever
- 110 million 19 lb boxes marketed
- Export volume & value second highest in history
- 44.5 million 19lb boxes shipped
- Exports value $857 million (€789m).
- 40% of total crop volume exported
- Top volume export markets included Canada, Mexico & China/Hong Kong
As it gears up for the start of its new season next month, California’s table grape sector has released figures showing the last one was a bumper in both value and volume.
California Table Grape Commission president Kathleen Nave said that overall, last year was a good one for most growers. “The industry was able to successfully harvest and ship a large crop at good prices over a very long season.”
Nave expects this season to mirror that of 2014 in timing, beginning late April and running through January. With the start thus only a month away, the commission is gearing up its global campaign. “The commission campaign focuses on motivating the trade to promote, and consumers to buy, more grapes from California more often,” she said.
According to a commission press release, 2014 saw the state’s table grape growers net their second biggest crop ever – 110 million 19 lb boxes marketed – as well as their second biggest export volume and value – 44.5 million 19 lb boxes shipped at a value of $857 million.
The top volume export markets included (with amount of 19 pound boxes shipped):
- Canada 11.4 million
- Mexico 5.7 million
- China/Hong Kong 5.5 million
Just over 40 percent of the total crop volume was exported.