Brazilian grapes to be available in late October
Brazilian grapes to be available in late October
PHILADELPHIA The season's first imported Brazilian grapes arrived in Philadelphia Oct. 7-8, according to Tom Leonardi of Fresh Taste Produce USA & Associates Inc., here.
About nine or 10 U.S. receivers had fruit on the ship, which was being held for 15 days at Lucca Cold Storage in Mullica Hill, NJ, per USDA phytosanitary requirements for cold treatment. Mr. Leonardi said that the first Brazilian grapes will be on the market about Oct. 26. These grapes are the Festival variety of Sugraone.
"For Brazil, it looks like a very, very good year," in part because California green grapes are quickly clearing out of the marketplace, said Mr. Leonardi.
According to Mr. Leonardi, California growers endured 38 straight days of 100-plus degree temperatures this summer, which has hurt the shelf life of California green grapes this fall. Some retailers have stopped buying California green grapes, Mr. Leonardi said Oct. 11.
The Brazilian grapes will be available until the first week of December, which is about the time that Chile will come onto the market. The volume of Brazilian grapes will be about double the volume shipped to the United States last year because new vineyards are maturing.
Mr. Leonardi said that the Brazilian grapes are packed in plastic bags within 18-pound lugs and are labeled with PLU stickers identifying the Sugraone variety.
About nine or 10 U.S. receivers had fruit on the ship, which was being held for 15 days at Lucca Cold Storage in Mullica Hill, NJ, per USDA phytosanitary requirements for cold treatment. Mr. Leonardi said that the first Brazilian grapes will be on the market about Oct. 26. These grapes are the Festival variety of Sugraone.
"For Brazil, it looks like a very, very good year," in part because California green grapes are quickly clearing out of the marketplace, said Mr. Leonardi.
According to Mr. Leonardi, California growers endured 38 straight days of 100-plus degree temperatures this summer, which has hurt the shelf life of California green grapes this fall. Some retailers have stopped buying California green grapes, Mr. Leonardi said Oct. 11.
The Brazilian grapes will be available until the first week of December, which is about the time that Chile will come onto the market. The volume of Brazilian grapes will be about double the volume shipped to the United States last year because new vineyards are maturing.
Mr. Leonardi said that the Brazilian grapes are packed in plastic bags within 18-pound lugs and are labeled with PLU stickers identifying the Sugraone variety.