The Chilean grape harvest has begun in Copiapo, and first shipments to the U.S. should depart to the U.S. the first week of December.
The Association of Agricultural Producers and Exporters of the Copiapó Valley kicked off the 2018-19 table grape season with an inaugural ceremony on Nov. 27, according to a news release.
Regional authorities, the National Society of Agriculture, the Foundation for Fruit Development and the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile (ASOEX) joined the event to celebrate the first harvests of one of Chile's most important fruits, according to the release.
North America is Chile's biggest grape market, taking 45% (39 million boxes) of Chilean grape export volume during the 2017-18 season.
According to the release, grape volume from the Copiapó region is projected to exceed 10 million boxes this season. Harvest started Nov. 20, with first shipments leaving for the U.S. between Dec. 5 and Dec. 7, according to the release.
The biggest volumes from this region will be harvested from December through mid-January, with late varieties finishing by the first week in March.