With the summer holidays coming to an end, the grape market seems to be picking up again. "Since the start of the Italian season, sales have been a bit slow. Many people were away on holiday and buying less fruit, but as we head into September, I expect things to improve," says Henk Vlaeminck of Van Dijk Foods.
This timing lines up perfectly with the switch to the more premium varieties, such as Sweet Globe and Autumn Crisp among the white grapes, and Jack's Salute and Sweet Celebration among the reds. "These are modern varieties, with a larger berry size and a solid brix level," explains Vlaeminck. The Italian grape season kicked off for the Flemish importer at the end of June. "It seems to be starting earlier every year, and I'm not sure that's a positive trend. This year's start at the end of June was a good two weeks earlier than last year, when we first saw seedless Italian grapes around mid-July. There's always a push to get fruit to market earlier, but from a quality perspective, I'm not convinced that's the best idea."
The weather has also played its part. "Because of the hot and dry conditions in Italy, overall quality was a bit lower this year. The early varieties, in particular, came in smaller sizes. But first impressions really matter to consumers. That's why I sometimes wonder if it wouldn't be smarter to start two weeks later with top-quality grapes, rather than two weeks earlier with weaker ones. A disappointing grape sticks in people's minds, and that hurts repeat sales. Most consumers don't know the seasonality behind grapes; they just expect a consistent product. So it's up to us to ensure that both berry size and sugar levels are always spot-on."
Do changing weather patterns pose a long-term risk for Italian grape production? Vlaeminck doesn't think so, at least, not yet. "I haven't heard any real concerns from our growers, but it's undeniable that the challenges are mounting. Grapevines are hardy plants, but when temperatures climb to 40–45°C, even vines struggle. That can definitely affect the early-season varieties and water use. Consumers today are used to big, crunchy grapes, and they expect that standard every time. Still, there's no reason to panic. Berry sizes have been a bit smaller so far, but we're seeing excellent varieties coming in over the next few weeks, which should sell very well once schools are back in session."
As for pricing, the quieter weeks didn't create any major issues. "Prices held up nicely. For seedless grapes, they were even on the higher side. Sales may have lagged, but the limited supply, caused by the weather, kept prices firm. That gives a slightly skewed picture, but overall pricing stayed strong. I don't expect that to change in the near term. On the contrary, the premium varieties will remain relatively expensive, but buyers are willing to pay for top quality. And with some summer fruit disappearing from the market, I honestly expect the coming weeks to shape up into a very good season."
For more information:
Henk Vlaeminck
Van Dijk Foods
Kempenarestraat 50
2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
Tel.: +32 15 55 65 61
[email protected]
www.vandijkfoods.be