California's 2026 table grape season started two to three weeks ahead of schedule thanks to record-warm winter and spring conditions, and that lead has held through harvest. The problem is that an early start means an early finish — most shippers aim to carry fruit through Thanksgiving, but the calendar math is working against them. Supplies are expected to tighten sharply this fall, with green varieties tightening first and more severely than reds.
September is the peak demand month for grapes in the U.S. — roughly 50% higher than July or December, according to shippers cited in the piece — making the timing squeeze especially consequential. Peruvian imports, which typically fill the late-season gap, are also running 7 to 15 days early and are projected 5% below last season due to El Niño-related productivity losses. That means both domestic supply and the import bridge are compressed simultaneously.
Retailers and buyers should watch October and November closely for availability gaps. The early California-to-Peru handover is the central risk this fall, and programs built around historical seasonal timing may need to be adjusted.