Fresh grapes market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh grape market in Northern America contracted from 7.1 million t in 2018 to 5.6 million t in 2023, with production volumes declining steadily. This reduction was primarily driven by challenges in California, the key production hub, where acreage shrank due to persistent water scarcity, high labor costs, and extreme weather events including droughts and Hurricane Hilary in 2023, which directly reduced output.

While consumer demand for fresh grapes was bolstered by health-conscious trends, premiumization, and growing Hispanic population influence, these factors could not offset the supply-side constraints. The market saw a temporary import surge to 208 thousand t in 2022, likely linked to broader supply chain disruptions, but imports subsequently fell back, aligning with the overall tightening of domestic availability.

Technological adoption such as precision agriculture and the introduction of new seedless varieties aimed at improving quality and shelf life proceeded alongside these challenges, yet the fundamental pressures on production capacity continued to define the market's downward volume trajectory through the period.

Production fresh grapes in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

Northern America's fresh grape production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 5,584 thousand tons of fresh grapes, marking a significant 13.2% decrease from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 18.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 6.5%. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 6,999 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 2.5% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports fresh grapes from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for fresh grapes in Northern America exhibited notable volatility during the observed period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 1.0 thousand tons, while 2019 saw the highest level at 2.8 thousand tons, creating a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 1.0 thousand tons, representing a sharp decline of 63.2% compared to 2019. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 189.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Northern America's fresh grape exports were Cuba, accounting for 61.8% of exports in volume, China with 6.0%, and Italy at 2.8%. Together, these three countries comprised 70.5% of total export volumes.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern America in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern America's fresh grape exports were valued at 0.4 million US dollars, reflecting an abrupt year-on-year decline of 64.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export values decreased by 68.6%, averaging an annualized drop of 32.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 56.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Cuba led as the primary market for Northern America's fresh grape exports in value terms, representing 54.1% of the total. China followed with 5.2%, and Italy with 2.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 61.7% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern America in value, 2017-2020

Imports fresh grapes to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes for fresh grapes in Northern America showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2018, imports reached their lowest point at 86.7 thousand tons, while 2017 marked the high at 294.8 thousand tons, resulting in a 3.4-fold variation. In 2020, imports totaled 97.9 thousand tons, showing a measured increase of 4.5% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 71.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 8.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, imports of fresh grapes in Northern America were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Chile was the largest source, contributing 22.7% of import volume, followed by Mexico at 14.0%, and Peru at 8.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 45.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern America in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of fresh grapes into Northern America increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 447.3 million US dollars, showing a rise of 2.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import values grew by 5.4%, equating to an average annual increase of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 423.5 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 0.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of fresh grapes in value terms to Northern America were not heavily concentrated. Chile was the top source, representing 21.9% of import value, followed by Mexico at 12.0%, and Peru at 9.9%. Together, these three countries captured 43.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern America in value, 2017-2020