LOS ANGELES, CA - Christmas isn’t here yet—it sure is flying up pretty quickly, though—but my family is already thinking about the festive meal for the whole party, and that includes grapes. As my mom rounded off the list of supplies, table grapes were a necessity, so having partners like Giumarra Vineyards on hand will give your shoppers that holiday delight they’re looking for.

“There are still plenty of fresh California grapes to fill domestic retail needs through the month of December,” Randy Giumarra, Vice President of Sales, informs me as the grower transitions from California grapes to imports from Peru and Chile. “We and a few other companies are still harvesting fresh grapes in the San Joaquin Valley, but most growers have finished their harvest for the California season. While there are fewer boxes in California cold storage with fewer left to harvest than in past years, there are plenty of green and black grapes for steady shipments to last through Christmas. Red grapes will also be available but in lighter volumes.”

Peruvian grape shipments from the Piura region have already arrived, with more than half a million boxes more than last year to date. However, due to a trucker strike and a harvest delay in Ica because of cooler temperatures, imports from Peru will be delayed for the balance of December; shipments from Ica will decrease in early-to-mid December.

“Given all of these factors, there will likely not be an ample volume of Peruvian grapes for all retailers in the U.S. to make the transition to imports until sometime around New Year’s,” continued Randy. “However, our goal is to keep this healthy, convenient snack available at the forefront for customers as we make the transition from California to imports. The global table grape grower/shipper community appreciates the continued support of the retail, wholesale, and foodservice buyers.”

I, for one, will be looking forward to the bunches of joy heading my way, and your shoppers will be too.

Giumarra Vineyards