California's table grape season started two to three weeks ahead of schedule, creating overlap with Mexico and flooding the market with multiple varieties simultaneously. By August, six green and red varieties were competing at the same time, and only the strongest quality stood out — mid-tier fruit got crushed on price. Industry-wide shipments have reached roughly 40 million boxes, with the industry moving about 4 million boxes per week. Yields ran 10-15% higher per acre for many growers, though reduced acreage kept overall volume from being unusually large.
A Cyclospora outbreak added additional headwinds during August, slowing domestic demand at a critical point in the season. Premium fruit — particularly the largest, highest-quality product targeting Asian buyers — held firm throughout. The bottom of the market, meanwhile, was defined by the cheapest available fruit, with little room for anything in between.
As supply becomes more limited heading toward the end of the season, the market outlook is improving. Buyers should watch for tighter availability across mid- and late-season varieties as growers manage harvest pace heading into fall.