More and more of the Kyoho grape variety is being shipped into Canada. "This is a seeded, soft black jumbo-sized grape that originates from Japan," says Brian Boccia of TSI Tropicals, who sources the grape via Kings River Inc. in Reedley, California who began growing the variety there about five years ago.
The Kyoho grape season in California runs from late August to November.
TSI Tropicals is in its third year of importing the grape and the company is almost doubling its supply this year. "Demand just seems to increase more and more every year," says Boccia, adding that the grape has an intense sweet grape flavor and one that Canadians might see as comparable to a Concord grape, though the Kyoho is larger and has edible skin. "To me, it's like having a glass of grape juice."
Retail distribution for Kyoho
For now, the grapes are largely distributed within Asian grocery stores though the shipper would like to see the fruit move into other retail outlets as well.
As for pricing? "It's still the beginning of the season and pricing is a bit better than last year," says Boccia. "Pricing also usually comes down towards the end of the season."
For more information:
Brian Boccia
TSI Tropicals
Tel: +1 (416) 251-8000
[email protected]
https://tsitropicals.com/