Record South African grape exports and falling Italian prices reshape EU market
South Africa exported 352,400 tonnes of table grapes in 2025/26, with 86% redirected to Europe and the UK due to new US tariffs, while Italian online grape prices fell by 5.4% week-on-week in July.
South Africa concluded its 2025/26 table grape season with record production of 385,000 tonnes, a 1% increase year-on-year. Despite adverse weather and port disruptions, export volumes held steady at 352,400 tonnes. As a result of a 10% US import tariff effective since April 2025, 86% of South African grape exports were redirected to European and UK markets—a 76% year-on-year increase—intensifying competition and supply in Europe, including Poland.
In Italy, online retail prices for standard table grapes in week 30/2026 averaged €5.38 per kg, down 5.4% from the previous week. Black grapes with seeds sold for an average of €3.39 per kg (down 12.9%), while white grapes with seeds ranged from €2.39 to €4.28 per kg loose, and €2.88 to €9.96 per kg pre-packed. White seedless grapes were priced between €3.98 and €6.98 per kg pre-packed. The price drop reflects increased supply and competition from overlapping origins such as Egypt and Spain.
Egypt continues to extend its grape export season into July and August by deploying mid and late-season varieties, overlapping with Spanish and early Italian campaigns. The introduction of globally recognized varieties like Ruby Rush™, Ivory™, Sweet Globe™, and Autumn Crisp™ is intensifying price competition across the region.
Peru increased its white seedless grape exports by 11% in the last campaign, with spot prices ranging from €2.9 to €4.6 per kg (converted from $3.10–$4.90/kg FOT). Chile's white seedless grape shipments fell by 15%, but prices for red seedless grapes remained above last season, at €2.3–€3.2 per kg (converted from $2.50–$3.50/kg FOT). Mexican grapes saw lower prices, with minimum values around €2.3 per kg (converted from $2.50/kg FOT).
New logistics solutions for Chilean grapes, such as Maersk’s integrated cold chain and expanded destination fumigation capacity at the US Port of Wilmington, have reduced transit times and costs for exports to the US. However, the bulk of Chilean grapes in late season continue to be directed to Europe, further increasing supply pressure on EU markets during the summer months.
Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker