Agrexco has targeted the UK for a 10% increase in white seedless grape exports this season with a programme which could reach 6,000 tonnes. The first Perlette was flown in this week and has been making between £13 and £14 per 4.5kg carton on the wholesale markets. It will be followed by Superlor Seedless and then Thompson, while the main volume shipped by sea will become available from mid June. Terry Bryan, Agrexco's marketing manager says that while harvesting had been slightly later than last year, initial samples had shown quality to be excellent. "Buyers are already indicating that there will be a good demand," he added. Current competition in-cludes balances from Chile and India, with some Mexican arrivals by sea on the way. Because of increasing interest in larger packs of fruit, Agrexco is shipping 8.2kg trays as well as the traditional 4.5kg carton. It has also introduced stricter grading procedures. Some fruit is also being classified under Agrexco's new Eco label, which, while not organic, encourages growers to adopt stringent agricultural practices and reduce the use of fertilisers and chemicals. {{FRESH PRODUCE }}

Topics