Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/232761
Juice grape trends (Continued from page 34) Chinese apple juice can be bought for $7.50 per gallon." Last year, U.S. concentrate prices dropped to around $15 per gallon. Argentina Imported Concord concentrate competes directly with U.S. concentrate. Since 2009, the amount of imported concentrate has ranged from around 50 to 63 million gallons, according to Ball. The majority of imported concentrate comes from Argentina, which accounts for 80 percent of the imported volume. Small amounts also are imported from Chile, Italy, Mexico, and Spain. "Argentina had a huge crop in 2013," he said, but added that they've had difficulty getting the product out of the country. "Imported Concord concentrate is currently landing at our ports for around $8 to 9 per gallon." Ball explained that the reduction in the 2013 cash price was expected, along with a lower concentrate price. Inventory of grape juice plays a part in supply and demand and determining where the Concord market is headed for 2014. A look at the numbers for U.S. production, imports, and exports gives a picture of what's available for consumption, he said. The latest inventory data available, based on 2011 figures, shows there were nearly 132 million gallons of grape juice available for consumption, up from 115 million gallons in 2010 and 2009. 2014 outlook "All of these pieces—current production, inventories of product, imports, and demand—go into determining prices for the coming year," Ball said. "We can anticipate steady Concord acreage in Washington as there aren't new plantings going in," he said. However, growers in California are expected to remove another 10,000 to 15,000 acres of Thompson Seedless grapes and other grape varieties that can be made into grape concentrate. Current inventories should be more controlled and move easier this year, he said, adding that the lower U.S. concentrate prices will be more competitive with imported product. "You can expect the cash price for Concords next season to be similar to 2013 ($225 per ton) or slightly higher. But remember, the 2014 crop in Washington is primed to be big, while the East Coast, just coming off a big crop, should be down in yield." • Demos Available. Call for Details. (Numbers backed by WSU research) • Accommodates 6-10 workers • Custom-built options available • Made by Burrows Tractor Our Self-Propelled Platform is easily removed from the tractor, and you still have a 35 hp, 4-wheel-drive tractor to use for the rest of the year. has Unit e remot g! steerin 36 JANUARY 1, 2014 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com