Mexico is looking forward to a good table grape season. Volume out of Sonora, the country's main table grape growing region, is estimated at 24 million boxes. While this is similar to last year's volume, the big contrast with last year will be the start of harvest. "We are expected to start significantly earlier, resulting in a less concentrated season and giving us more time to sell the fruit," says Carlos Bon with Divine Flavor. The first volumes will be shipped by mid-May and by the end of the month, the region will be going full speed. "About two-thirds of the region's volume will hit the market in June, the heaviest shipping month," Bon added. The remainder of the volume will be shipped in July.
From left to right: Luis Carlos Romo, Arturo Hinojos, and Gabriel Plouin of Divine Flavor/Grupo Alta.
Earlier window
While Sonora used to be Mexico's only table grape growing region, Divine Flavor has developed a new region that hits the market at the end of April. "We created table grape operations in Jalisco to hit an earlier window," Bon commented. It is a difficult place to grow grapes, but after years of perfecting, Divine Flavor got the hang of it. "Last year, we graduated and were pleased with the quality we achieved. However, this year, the technical team further improved the quality and we're seeing big advancements. It was very exciting to see the fruit when I visited the region recently."
At the Jalisco farm, called Don Mario, Divine Flavor grows strategic, high-flavor varieties with AUTUMNCRISP® having the largest share in production. "While this is a very consumer-friendly variety with a large fan base, it is not so grower-friendly as fertility, bunch size, and coloring are challenges for the grower." However, after years of trialing, the company has been able to turn this rather complicated grape variety into a non-complicated variety to grow. "It is still not grower friendly, but we've figured out how to grow a premium variety of outstanding quality in Jalisco."
Most proud of Jalisco grapes
Usually, early grape varieties are less attractive as they aren't quite as flavorful as grapes that hit the market during the later stages of the season. "However, with our grapes from Jalisco, I find myself having to tell our customers that these are of better quality than Mexico's grapes from the Sonora region. Although we are shooting ourselves in the foot, we can't argue with Mother Nature." With all the challenges that had to be overcome, out of all grapes grown by Divine Flavor, Bon is most proud of the Jalisco grapes. Last year, Divine Flavor's Jalisco production amounted to a little over 1 million boxes. This year, the company expects to harvest between 1.6 and 1.7 million boxes.
From left to right: Brian Castrejon, Karla Diaz, Alvaro Munoz, and Michael DuPuis.
Extension of Sonora production
From Jalisco, grape production moves into the Sonora region. In fact, there is a bit of overlap between Jalisco and Sonora. "Being the largest table grape grower in the state of Sonora, that is where the majority of our table grape volume is generated," Bon shared. "We are the largest in overall production but also have a 50 percent market share in organics." Not only has Divine Flavor been able to hit an earlier window with its Jalisco production, the company has also extended availability at the back end of the Sonora season. "We have a large ranch in the latest grape-growing part of Mexico, offering late varieties, including Sweet Celebration™, Sweet Globe™, and Cotton Candy™," Bon shared. "These are some of our best varieties and allow us to finish the Mexican season on a high note." Although these late grape varieties hit the market at a time California's grape harvest has started, Bon is not concerned about the overlap. "It is no secret that early grapes are usually not the most flavorful. Therefore, retailers have no problem waiting a bit longer for California's best grapes and buying Mexican grapes a little longer." Altogether, Divine Flavor's Mexican grapes are in the market between late April and late July.
For more information:
Michael DuPuis
Divine Flavor
Tel: +1 (520) 281-8328
mdupuis@divineflavor.com
www.divineflavor.com