High prices for Italian seedless grapes; Spanish campaign delayed; South African supply drops
Italian seedless grapes are trading at over €5.0/kg on wholesale markets, while Spain's table grape harvest is slightly delayed due to weather. South African grape packhouses report supply at less than half normal levels.
In Italy, wholesale prices for seedless table grapes have surpassed €5.0/kg in mid-July 2026. Traditional 'Vittoria' grapes are trading above €2.0/kg, with some markets exceeding €3.0/kg. Producers in Puglia report field prices for seedless grapes as low as €0.70/kg, but wholesale demand remains strong, especially for premium and branded varieties. The upcoming 'Regina di Puglia' trade event, scheduled for July 23-25, will host buyers from eight European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Spain, and Poland, reflecting growing international interest in Italian grapes and increased competition among European buyers and distributors.
Spain's table grape season is underway in Murcia, though harvest is running several days behind 2025 due to unstable weather. The crop is expected to reach around 250,000 tons. A heatwave has raised concerns about color development in red grape varieties and a slowdown in Brix (sugar) accumulation, but fruit quality is reported as good. Major European retail chains have already begun sourcing from Spanish suppliers. Full-scale Spanish harvest is expected from July 20 onward, with continued strong demand from EU importers.
In South Africa's Loskop Valley, grape packhouses received only 2,000 bins last week, less than half the usual 4,500–5,000 bins for this period. Labor unrest and anti-foreigner sentiment have disrupted operations. Reduced output from South Africa may limit availability for export markets, including European buyers, potentially affecting supply to countries such as Poland.
Branded and premium grape varieties, such as AUTUMNCRISP from Sun World, are experiencing increased consumer demand in Northern Europe. In Denmark, a branded launch in 2025 resulted in a 90% sales increase for AUTUMNCRISP and a 25% overall lift in the grape category at retail, with strong repeat purchases. This trend is influencing procurement strategies among European retailers and could affect future sourcing preferences.
The Global Grape Convention 2026, to be held in Santiago, Chile, on August 12, will bring together exporters from Chile, Peru, and Mexico, as well as European importers and retailers. The event will focus on global demand, varietal innovation, and commercial strategies, reflecting the ongoing evolution and competitive pressures in the international table grape market.
Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker