Torrential rains linked to El Niño have forced table grape exporters in Peru's Piura region to temporarily halt fieldwork during week 43, with some reducing contracted volumes due to flooding and transport disruptions. Peru's national weather service warns conditions could worsen in November, with intermittent rainfall possible along the northern coast through March. Waterlogging threatens fruit quality, phytosanitary condition, and shelf life.
The timing is especially painful because Peru's season had started strong — the country shipped 57,700 tons of grapes between weeks 38 and 41, compared to just 18,800 tons during the same stretch in 2025, as early heat pulled the harvest forward. Now that momentum is being interrupted by the same weather system. Adding complexity, South American volumes are hitting destination markets at the same time as late Italian and Brazilian grapes, which could pressure prices through November and December.
For U.S. buyers, Peruvian grapes are a critical bridge supply between California's close and Chile's ramp-up. A 20% export reduction from Piura is worth tracking closely heading into the holiday window.