Grapes Market Digest w37

Weekly updates on the grapes market

Price movements in the EU

The European table grape season is approaching an early end for Mediterranean producers due to high temperatures, which have accelerated the harvest and shortened the season. According to our experts and data from Wikifarmer transactions, prices are slightly increasing as reduced availability impacts the market. To provide a clearer picture of price trends in European wholesale markets, we've analyzed data from German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the French Market News Network, focusing on Germany and France—two key importers of table grapes and fresh fruits.

In central European markets, supply from Italy has once again intensified, dominating a wide variety of offerings. Italian grapes, particularly the Italia variety, which keeps its loyal customers, gained importance alongside Crimson Seedless and Red Globe, which also saw an uptick in market presence. However, the availability of Michele Palieri and Victoria varieties slightly decreased. In Munich, Turkish Sultana grapes played a notable role, becoming more affordable due to increased volume and attractive coloring, while in Hamburg, Turkish Crimson Seedless grapes were priced at €19 per 5kg carton. Generally, prices remained stable as supply and demand balanced, although limited competition has led to slightly increased prices due to lower availability from various sources.

Meanwhile, Spanish and Greek Thompson (seedless) are gradually disappearing from the markets, with Greek producers reporting an early harvest. In northern Greece, the IFG/Bloom Fresh season began a month earlier than usual, raising concerns about supermarkets' ability to stock fresh European grapes in November. Heat waves have heavily impacted Murcia and southern Greece, contributing to abnormal production in the regions. Prices are expected to rise in October due to reduced supply.

In Greece, demand is primarily driven by tourists seeking fresh, local products. Early grape varieties from the Peloponnese and Crete have already concluded their season, allowing northern Greece's producers to meet national demand. In addition to serving the domestic market, Greek grapes are exported to key markets such as Germany and the UK, where they remain in high demand.

Spanish grapes production under the influence of adverse weather

Various weather events in the second half of August caused significant damage to 25,500 hectares of insured crops in Spain, with citrus, grapes, and other fruits most affected. Hailstorms, particularly during mid-August, were responsible for much of the damage across regions such as Catalonia, Murcia, the Valencian Community, and Albacete. The storms, which occurred between August 12 and 16, are expected to lead to compensation of around 20 million euros, according to data from Agroseguro. In Catalonia, over 1,300 hectares were damaged, particularly in the fruit-growing region of Lleida. In the Valencian Community and Murcia, citrus crops bore the brunt, with over 2,000 and 3,000 hectares affected, respectively. Meanwhile, in Albacete, wine grapes and some vegetable crops were damaged across 2,700 hectares. The recurring storms throughout the month have highlighted the vulnerability of these agricultural regions to extreme weather events and how this year's meteorological instability has affected the main producing areas.

Wikifarmer is ready for Fruit Attraction 2024 in Madrid, Spain

Wikifarmer is excited to announce its participation as an exhibitor at the upcoming Fruit Attraction. As a B2B digital platform, Wikifarmer drives innovation in the agrifood market by facilitating better connections between farmers, distributors, and businesses worldwide. Our presence at this event underscores our commitment to enhancing the commercial experience for companies operating in the agri-food sector. We'll showcase the latest developments on our platform aimed at optimizing business interactions, streamlining supply chains, and increasing market transparency.

Join us at Hall 5 | Stand 5D12A, where we'll be ready to discuss the newest innovations and solutions tailored to meet the growing demands of the agri-food industry. From boosting business efficiency to staying ahead of industry trends, Wikifarmer is dedicated to supporting the future of agribusiness. If you want to stay competitive and informed about the evolving agrifood landscape, this event is the perfect opportunity to engage with us and explore how we can contribute to your business success.