Dried grape industry produces good returns

RAISINS ARE serious business in the international marketing arena, reflected in the wide global participation at last month’s 2007 International Conference of Dried Grape Producing Countries held in Germany. Delegations from the USA, Turkey, Iran, Greece, Argentina, South Africa and Australia were joined by trade organisations from the UK, Italy and Germany. One of the key issues that emerged was the impact of reduced world production in all but the USA – caused by drought and heat waves in the growing season. The result was higher prices, reflected in improved returns to growers being paid by processors worldwide. And while the USA and Turkey remain top of the pile in terms of volumes produced, countries like China, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan are beginning to compete globally.