Rain and cold weather put a bit of a damper on the start of Mexico’s winter produce season, but distributors said temperatures — and shipments — were rising as February played out.
The virus’ impact on the Mexican grape deal was still to be determined as of late March. Grower-shippers say they are being watchful, careful and taking no chances.
Grower-shippers of Mexican grapes say they expect to have ample supplies in the pipeline for their season, despite some rough weather during the growing season.
While some grower-shippers may see the Mexican state of Jalisco as a gateway to a head start for that country’s table grape deal, others want no part of it, or at least are taking a wait-and-see attitude.
Nobody expects Mexico’s grape production to approach last year’s more than 21 million-carton bounty, but this year should fall into the “promotable volume” category, growers and shippers say.
Nogales, Ariz.-based Fresh Farms is taking a big leap into the organic grape market out of Mexico this year, said Jerry Havel, sales and marketing director.