Trendspotting: Got any grapes?

If it’s not one thing it’s another for table grapes. Hurricane season may be over, but the effects of this year’s frenetic season are still haunting grape markets. This year, growers in the Tulare and Kern counties lost a significant portion of their winter crop due to a fungus caused by rain from Hurricane Hilary.

“As a result, grape markets have essentially skipped over a time of year typically marked by low, stable prices,” said Mark Campbell, founder and CEO of ProduceIQ. “As domestic production fades over the next three weeks, grape suppliers are optimistic that import season will provide some relief to what has been a very challenging season.”

According to ProduceIQ, table grapes continue at $34, which is approximately $10 more than any prior year.

Keeping with the grape theme, grape-type tomatoes are at a 10-year high by a significant margin. “Usually considered a more economical alternative to cherry tomatoes, current prices are tarnishing their hard-earned ‘affordable’ reputation,” said Campbell.

ProduceIQ reported that volume from Mexico and Florida is significantly below the norm for week No. 48. “Unfortunately, the future is not merry or bright for grape tomato buyers; supply is forecasted to struggle for the next two to three weeks,” Campbell added.

Switching to avocados, Campbell said, “Prices have us doing a double-take. Quite uncharacteristically, we have no headline-grabbing story to explain current avocado prices. As far as we know, the crop is just a little lighter than expected. Resultingly, Hass avocado prices are at the second-highest value for week No. 48 seen in the last 10 years.”