Sun World executive speaks to importance of Mexican grapes, partnership with Divine Flavor/Grupo Alta

As Mexico’s table grape season gets ready to kick off, The Produce News caught up with Sun World Chief Executive Officer Bernardo Calvo, who discussed the partnership between Sun World and Divine Flavor (and its grower Grupo Alta) and the shared vision the two have to deliver premium quality grapes to consumers.

THE PRODUCE NEWS: Explain the relationship between Sun World and Grupo Alta/Divine Flavor, and what has been the key to the long-lasting relationship between David Marguleas and Alan Aguirre, two visionaries of the grape industry?

BERNARDO CALVO: The relationship between Sun World and Grupo Alta/Divine Flavor has been built on a shared vision of innovation, excellence and delivering premium grapes to consumers. For nearly two decades, David Marguleas and Alan Aguirre have worked together to introduce new, premium grape varieties to Mexico, North America, and key markets globally. These efforts have subsequently redefined quality standards and supply consistency.

This partnership has evolved into a powerful collaboration, formalized in 2023 through a strategic agreement, to significantly expand the production and market reach of AutumnCrisp brand grapes and create opportunities to introduce new proprietary varieties in Mexico.

By aligning Sun World’s industry-leading breeding program with Grupo Alta’s world-class growing expertise and Divine Flavor’s strong market presence, the companies are reshaping the Mexican table grape industry while ensuring North American retailers have access to the highest quality grapes at critical times of the year.

TPN: Why is a strong alliance between breeders, growers and marketers crucial in today’s industry, and how has the relationship between our companies evolved over the years?

BC: A seamless connection between breeders, growers and marketers is critical to meeting consumer expectations and delivering consistently high-quality grapes year-round. Sun World, Grupo Alta and Divine Flavor exemplify how a strong alliance can drive category growth and bring about new offerings that can categorically reinvent when, where and how grapes are consumed around the world.

Through decades of collaboration, our companies have trialed new proprietary varieties, optimized growing conditions in Mexico’s key regions and developed a market strategy that ensures consumers experience superior grapes whenever they buy. The enhanced collaboration agreement signed in 2023 strengthened this alignment, allowing us to collectively scale production, improve consistency, and introduce new, high-performing varieties to market.

TPN: What are the key variables in choosing licensed growers, and why does Grupo Alta/Divine Flavor fit that profile?

BC: Selecting the right licensed growers has always been an essential part of maintaining the quality and reputation of our proprietary grape brands. When evaluating partners, we’re looking for:

• Commitment to premium quality: The ability to grow grapes that meet Sun World’s high standards for texture, flavor and consistency.
• Technical expertise: Precision farming, post-harvest handling, and a track record of successful variety adaptation.
• Strategic market alignment: Infrastructure and distribution capabilities to ensure premium grapes reach retailers efficiently.
• Sustainability practices: A focus on responsible resource management, labor practices, and environmentally conscious farming.

Grupo Alta and Divine Flavor exemplify these characteristics. Their extensive expertise, state-of-the-art operations, and unwavering dedication to bringing premium table grapes to market with consistency make them an ideal Sun World licensee. Their leadership in trialing and adopting superior new varieties further strengthens their position as a key partner in expanding our premium grape offerings.

TPN: Why is Mexico an important time of the year for Sun World varieties, and how does this support your strategic vision for supplying grapes to retail markets?

BC: Mexico plays a pivotal role in Sun World’s strategic vision for year-round grape availability. Its production bridges the supply gap between the Southern Hemisphere harvest and California’s Central Valley season, ensuring North American retailers have a continuous supply of premium grapes.

That was the exact goal of our collaboration agreement with Grupo Alta/Divine Flavor just two years ago – to create an aggressive strategy that ensures promotable volumes of AutumnCrisp brand grapes are available from December through May – was to cover key retail periods like Christmas and Valentine’s Day all the way up until Memorial Day. Additionally, Grupo Alta’s Jalisco vineyards and Sonora operations allow for expanded production of early-ripening varieties, further strengthening supply continuity.

TPN: Tell us more about the AutumnCrisp brand. What was the goal behind developing the Sugrathirtyfive variety? Why has it become one of the top green seedless grapes in the market?

BC: AutumnCrisp grapes were developed to redefine the green seedless grape category, offering an unparalleled eating experience. The Sugrathirtyfive variety was specifically bred to provide exceptional crunch, juiciness and a perfect balance of sweetness, making it stand out from traditional green seedless grapes.

There are likely three key reasons we’ve seen these green seedless grapes skyrocket in popularity:

• Outstanding consumer appeal: consistently high ratings for size, taste, texture, and overall quality keeps consumers coming back and searching for more.
• Extended shelf life and storage benefits: long-lasting freshness for both retailers and consumers.
• Increased production in key regions: nearly year-round availability across major markets ensures retailers have access to promotable volumes at critical selling periods.

TPN: What Sun World varieties are next in the pipeline for Mexico/Divine Flavor/Grupo Alta?

BC: As part of our long-term partnership, Sun World is working closely with Grupo Alta/Divine Flavor to introduce new, high-performing table grape varieties tailored to Mexico’s growing conditions. Upcoming additions include:

• RUBY RUSH brand (Sugrafiftythree variety): A vibrant, early-season red seedless grape with superior color, crisp texture and outstanding flavor, positioned to replace older red varieties like Flame Seedless.
• EPIC CRISP brand (Sugrafiftysix variety): A next-generation green seedless grape that builds upon the success of AutumnCrisp brand grapes, offering a more grower-friendly and high-performing option.
• Additional early-ripening varieties: Currently in trial phases, designed to extend Mexico’s harvest window and provide retailers with even greater consistency in premium grape offerings.

These investments in varietal development will further strengthen Mexico’s position as a key supplier of Sun World’s premium grapes.

TPN: Is there anything else you’d like to mention about Sun World?

BC: Sun World’s mission is to continuously innovate and elevate the table grape industry through superior breeding, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to quality. The decadeslong collaboration with Grupo Alta and Divine Flavor has created a new era of industry leadership, where cutting-edge genetics meet world-class growing and marketing expertise.

Together, we are setting a new standard for premium table grapes—ensuring that consumers can enjoy the best-tasting, highest-quality grapes, no matter the season. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to introducing game-changing varieties, strengthening grower partnerships and supporting retailers with unparalleled grape brands.