California table grapes are entering a tightening phase, with supply shrinking — particularly on green varieties — and pricing responding accordingly. The entire season ran approximately three weeks early due to heavy July heat, which caused uneven variety sequencing and reduced volume per acre on more delicate types. Current shipping varieties include Autumn King on greens and Scarlet Royals and Allisons on reds.
Demand, which was soft through July and August, is picking up with back-to-school momentum and that tightening supply. Growers typically try to ship through U.S. Thanksgiving, but with the season running so early, maintaining volume into late November will be challenging this year. Sunny Cal Farms says prices are already moving higher and expects that trend to continue through the end of the season.
Buyers who rely on California late-season grapes to bridge into import programs should watch the transition window carefully. If the domestic season ends significantly earlier than normal, there may be a gap before Chilean and other Southern Hemisphere volumes are fully established in the market.