Australia has achieved its second-best table grape season on record, according to a new research report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.

In the report, Table grape update 2025, the bank’s RaboResearch division found Australia produced over 230,000 metric tonnes of the fruit in 2024/25 – a 20 per cent increase from the 2023/24 season.

RaboResearch analyst Pia Piggott said the jump in production was thanks to higher yields and younger vineyards reaching full maturity.

Ms Piggott said Australian domestic consumption of table grapes (grapes grown for fresh consumption) rose by 11 per cent in the latest season, while exports reached a five-year high of 148,300 metric tonnes.

“Exports of Australian table grapes to China grew by 36 per cent, to 53,000 metric tonnes – although this remains nine per cent below the averages of the late 2010s,” she said.

Other markets for Australian table grapes, including South Korea, the Philippines and New Zealand, showed stronger growth than Japan, Vietnam and Thailand, Ms Piggott said.

Looking ahead, she said, there is optimism for the 2025/26 season as new planting areas enter full production and a neutral El Nino outlook supports stable yields.

“And lower shipping costs, a favourable market window in China and strong demand across Asia could lead to improved returns for Australian growers,” Ms Piggott said.

Global trade

The Rabobank report found a significant shift within the global table grape industry, with Peru overtaking Chile to become the world’s leading exporter, while China is rapidly positioning itself as a formidable contender.

Report lead author, RaboResearch fresh produce senior analyst Gonzalo Salinas said with China’s exports projected to exceed 100 million boxes, the global landscape is poised for transformation by the end of the decade. “This development opens up new avenues for market diversification and strategic growth, particularly in Southeast Asia,” he said.

Rapid growth

Mr Salinas said Peru’s rise to the top of the global table grape export market marks a pivotal moment for the industry. “This achievement is underscored by the robust growth in global exports, which reached an unprecedented 4.6 million metric tonnes in 2024/25. Peru’s success reflects the sector’s evolving competitiveness and highlights the potential for strategic repositioning among leading exporters,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Salinas said, China is emerging as a key player, with its exports fuelling both supply and demand across Southeast Asia. “Driven by a rising middle class and shifting consumer preferences, China’s influence is reshaping the global table grape market. As China becomes more self-sufficient, it relies less on imports, further solidifying its position in the industry.”

US and Mexico

Mr Salinas said, in North America, US table grape exports are stabilising, with notable growth in markets such as Mexico.

“This growth is supported by retail expansion and promotional efforts, which have boosted demand. Mexico’s table grape industry remains resilient, benefiting from steady demand in both the US and domestic markets,” he said. “Despite previous weather disruptions, South American exports have rebounded, reaching a record 1.3 million metric tonnes, setting the stage for continued growth in 2025/26.”

EU and US

The Rabobank report said the European Union and the United States continue to dominate as the largest importers of table grapes, accounting for 43 per cent of global volume.

“Over the past decade, imports in these markets have grown steadily at an annual rate of two per cent. In the US, per capita consumption is on the rise, averaging 8.2 pounds per person per year over the past 10 years, with projections to reach a record nine pounds (3.7 kilograms) in 2025/26,” it said.

Southeast Asia

“As China becomes more self-sufficient,” Mr Salinas said, “Southeast Asia is emerging as an attractive alternative for market diversification across the industry.

“The region’s growing demand presents untapped opportunities for exporters seeking strategic growth in new destinations,” he said.