After a decade of importing grapes, Grapeman Farms will continue its expanded Chilean fruit program this season. 

The company’s signature fruit is leading the way, with an expected 50 percent increase in overall Chilean grape import volume year-over-year, said Dave Perez, vice president of sales and marketing at the Bakersfield, CA-based company.

The top leading fruits worldwide are bananas, apples and grapes.

Ninety-three percent of grapes sold in the U.S. are from California vineyards. The California climate is perfect for growing grapes with its warm days and cooler night.

Sunview Marketing International is a three-generation family farm located in the San Joaquin Valley of California and is one of the top three shippers in the U.S.

The company’s roots trace back to the early 20th century, and it has since grown into one of the largest table grape producers in the U.S. While Sunview’s primary market is the U.S., it also exports grapes to international markets creating a worldwide demand.

More than 250 grower licensees, retailers and media partners joined Sun World International for its mid- to late-season Table Grape Field Day Aug. 22 at its Center for Innovation in Wasco, CA. The annual event brought together licensed growers, marketers, importers, retailers and media partners from around the globe to see firsthand how Sun World brings innovative new table grape varieties to market.

Fruit Royale Inc. has been active in the production of premium table grapes in the San Joaquin Valley since 2004, working directly with its contracted growers on all aspects of fruit production—growing, packing, cooling, storing, logistics and sales.

California table grape growers have long sought innovative ways to grow a healthy product in a fruitful and efficient manner. Since 1972 the industry has funded viticulture research projects ranging from the development of new varieties to establishment of best cultural practices to the evaluation of pest management processes.

That’s where the California Grape Commission comes in. All of the commission’s work is about creating opportunity for California table grape growers to grow, pick, pack, ship and market a crop as efficiently and economically advantageously as possible.