California grape growers and wholesalers sour on grape rules

Tag: Fresh Grape

California grape growers and produce wholesalers have been feuding over standards for the number of loose grapes in a package, with image and profits in the growing $2 billion fresh grape market at issue.

ust how many ''shattered berries'' -- or loose Fresh Grape -- should be allowed in the bag you pick up at the grocery store?

For the last three years, California growers and produce wholesalers have been feuding over whether the standard for what can be stamped U.S. Grade No. 1 should be changed. Buyers say permitting more loose grapes will lower quality and make the fresh produce harder to sell.

Now Department of Agriculture officials, who set quality standards for 240 food products, are proposing to increase the number of loose grapes without considering them defective. The debate is over image and the bottom line in the growing $2 billion fresh table grape market. Americans each eat seven to eight pounds of grapes a year, up from two pounds in 1970.

''Our experience has consistently shown that our customers seek out the bags with the most berries still attached to the stem,'' Brendon Cull, Kroger Co.'s director of government and regulatory affairs, said in comments, telling regulators that loose grapes don't sell.

Cull said the proposal would be ''unacceptable to many customers and families who want their grapes to be fresh.'' Cincinnati-based Kroger operates 2,400 grocery stores.

A change in the rules for defects would primarily affect California growers, who will sell about $1.1 billion worth of table grapes this year, according to industry estimates. Another $1 billion in grapes are imported, most from Chile and Mexico.

Under the proposal issued by the Agricultural Marketing Service, an additional five percent of loose grapes in containers wouldn't be counted as defects. Comments closed March 27 and regulators are reviewing them.

Currently, loose grapes are counted toward a 12 to 15 percent ''tolerance'' for imperfections under the No. 1 standard. Thus, if approved, imperfect grapes could represent up to 20 percent of the berries in a container.

Those grapes still would earn the U.S. Grade No. 1 stamp and shippers would expect top dollar for them. Growers said their research showed consumers don't mind a few loose grapes.