Where is the juice grape market headed ?

摘要

Few growers in Washington are replanting Concord vineyards. On the surface, Washington State's juice grape industry looks the picture of good economic times—crop inventories are in balance with demand and cash prices are strong, setting a record in 2012. But growers aren't being encouraged to plant more juice grapes, perhaps a subtle sign of an uncertain future. Grape concentrate inventories are tight right now, says Jim Gauley, president of FruitSmart, a specialty fruit ingredient supplier in Grandview. "A few more acres of Concords would be okay, but let's not get carried away," he said, adding that nobody makes any money when a gallon of concentrate is selling for $10.50, the price it sold for in 2007.