Early estimates indicate slightly larger Sonoran grape crop for 2023

TUBAC, AZ – The Sonoran table grape crop for 2023 is projected to be 21.7 million boxes, an increase of 1.32 percent over 2022’s 21.4 million-box crop.

The estimate was presented by Marco Antonio Camou, president of the Mexican table grape importers association known as AALPUM, at the Mexico Table Grapes Spring Summit March 22, held at the Tubac Golf Resort, here.

Camou said the numbers are based on a survey sent to growers requesting information on varieties per area.

“We try to be as accurate as possible, and we plan to provide an update every two weeks,” Camou told the approximate 100 growers, importers and allied organizations in attendance. “The better the data we can provide, the better sales planning we can have.”

Showing increases this year are Early Greens (up 2.5 percent to 4.6 million boxes), Mid Greens (up 11.45 percent to 6.5 million boxes) and Mid Reds (up 7.34 percent to 2.7 million boxes).

Those showing decreases are Flames (down 7.27 percent to 6.5 million boxes), Blacks (down 8.4 percent to 1.2 million boxes) and Red Globes (down 23.4 percent to 200,000 boxes).

Camou said there is optimism with the early varieties, which are showing well developed bunches so far. Early Greens are expected to begin shipping from Nogales in Week 22 (May 29-June 4) and will run through Week 24.

Red Seedless also will begin shipping from Nogales in Week 22 and continue through Week 26 (July 3-9).

Blacks are expected to begin in Week 23 (June 5-11) and go through Week 25.

Mid Greens, which are showing the largest percentage increase of all this year, will begin shipping from Nogales in Week 24 (June 12-18) and run through Week 27.

Camou said the next updated estimate will be released April 12.

This year marked the return of the in-person Mexico Table Grapes Spring Summit, which was last held in 2019. It was cancelled the following year due to Covid, and estimates were presented virtually via video conferences in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Photo: Marco Antonio Camou, president of the Mexican table grape importers association known as AALPUM, presents the estimate for the 2023 Mexican grape crop March 22 at the Mexico Table Grapes Spring Summit.