The Cold Storage Report for the Western Fruit Report shows substantial differences in grape cold storage totals between October 2023 and October 2024. In general, the total volume of grapes in cold storage across various varieties has seen significant changes, reflecting both increases and decreases across grape varieties and packaging types. In 2024, the grand total of grapes in cold storage reached 10,455,102 units, a considerable rise compared to 8,345,100 units in 2023. This increase indicates a possible growth in production or a shift in storage strategies, especially given the diverse variations in individual grape types and packaging forms.
Examining specific varieties, the Autumn Royal grape, for example, saw a decrease from 298,781 units in 2023 to 216,317 units in 2024, a drop of over 27%. This reduction could be attributed to either lower harvest yields or increased market demand, which reduced the need for extended storage. In contrast, the Autumn King grape showed a relatively stable total, moving from 2,776,409 units in 2023 to 2,665,459 units in 2024. Such stability suggests consistent production and demand patterns for this variety, highlighting its continued popularity in the market.
Other varieties showed a significant increase in storage totals. The Allison grape variety nearly doubled its stored units, jumping from 1,736,699 in 2023 to 2,623,485 in 2024. This surge might reflect increased production or a shift towards storing this variety for a longer period to meet anticipated market needs. Similarly, the Scarlet Royal variety experienced a large increase from 284,020 units in 2023 to 1,012,040 units in 2024. This significant rise suggests that the variety has seen heightened production levels, or possibly, a strategic shift by distributors to hold more stock for an upcoming season.
In summary, the 2024 cold storage report shows a generally upward trend in total storage for grapes, with several varieties seeing substantial increases. The overall increase in storage may point to heightened production across the board, while individual declines in certain varieties indicate a mix of shifting production priorities and consumer demand. As grape varieties continue to fluctuate annually, these storage patterns will be valuable in predicting market trends and production strategies for future seasons.
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