New York-based fresh produce importer and distributor Jac. Vandenberg Inc. has introduced a market-first in sustainable packaging for its Sunrays products.

Columbine Vineyards, a part of the AC Foods family, announced a partnership with Four Star Sales Inc. to meet the increasing demands of the fresh table grape industry. The collaboration will allow both companies to further the reach of their portfolio of table grape varieties, including their branded proprietary varieties.

Sun World International, LLC, recently announced it has added several marketers to its licensee lineup in the Southern Hemisphere. These include two newly licensed marketers in Peru, PuraFruit and Pampa Baja, as well as Bravis in Brazil and EXSA in South Africa.

With promotable volume of California grapes available through December, retail promotion and consumer advertising continue through year-end in the U.S., and in Canada, Mexico and other key export markets, according to Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission.

Noting that harvest is still under way in some areas, Nave said that in a typical season California ships grapes throughout the U.S. and to multiple export markets into January and this year looks to be no different.

LGS Specialty Sales, a leading importer of citrus, avocados, grapes and persimmons, anticipates a strong grape season from December 2021 through May of 2022.

For six months, LGS will provide shoppers with access to quality red, green and black seedless grapes from Chile and Peru. This will include specialty varieties like Cotton Candy and Candy Hearts. The grapes will be available for purchase in both clamshells and clear bags. 

Table grape stocks are lower than in previous seasons according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture cold storage report. That is particularly true for red seedless grapes as the amount of supplies is lower than in years past, said Pablo Gómez, licensee and quality assurance manager at IFG. “Generally, grape supplies are down by approximately 20 percent,” he said.