New Seedless Grape Variants Lead to Increased Consumption

Article by: Hari Yellina

With the advent of new seedless cultivars, table grape consumption has changed dramatically in Brazil. “Table grapes were a low-value produce in Brazil, and their use was primarily seasonal. They are now increasingly regarded as an appealing and delectable nutritious snack, thanks to the emergence of new seedless types in recent years. As a result, their consumption has increased dramatically and continues to do so “According to Helia Mendonça, sales manager for Brazil at Fazendas Labrunier, the country’s largest producer of table grapes, situated in Petrolina, Pernambuco. The Spanish Grupo El Ciruelo purchased the company three years ago, becoming José Velasco the world’s largest table grape provider.

This grape behemoth continues to spend in varietal development efforts in order to increase table grape consumption in Brazil and other countries where it exports. The effort devoted to varietal transformation is one of the most notable. The company is aggressively investing in novel kinds from the world’s premier fruit developers, and its 900 hectares offer a portfolio of types that have not yet been fully developed and commercialised. “Because Brazil has a strong preference for seedless white grapes, cultivars including SunWorld’s Autumn Crisp, IFG’s Sugar Crisp, Grappa’s Arra 15, and SNFL’s Timpson, among others, have done well.”

Although Brazilian consumers are often unwilling to pay the prices given in the US and European markets, our company has been a pioneer in producing exceptional kinds such as IFG’s Cotton Candy or Candy Snaps, and we earn some intriguing margins “Helia Mendonça adds. After white grapes, the Vitoria grape, a black type created in Brazil, is one of the most popular varietals, according to Labrunier’s commercial director. “It’s a sweet-tasting cultivar with petite berries and numerous clusters. It also has lower production and marketing costs because it does not demand royalties.

Despite the fact that the Brazilian market is primarily interested in white grapes, the Vitoria is capturing a significant share of consumption; however, because production is unregulated, massive concentrations in supply have resulted in low pricing on the domestic market.”

Labrunier’s exports, managed by Roco Meja, have developed in two areas: the United States, where the brand already had a presence, and Europe and the United Kingdom, programmes that have been expanded thanks to Grupo El Ciruelo’s significant presence and participation. “In addition to boosting sales in the home market, we have enormous intentions to continue expanding our exports. The acquisition of El Ciruelo is allowing us to do this, in addition to giving us the opportunity to produce and market stone fruit in the future,” says the export manager.