Results of the meeting of the table grape contact group of France, Italy, Portugal and Spain

The table grape contact group, made up of France, Italy, Portugal and Spain, met in Avignon (France) to discuss the forecasts for a grape season. On this occasion, the common problem of the reduction of available phytosanitary products, crucial for effective pest control, was highlighted and a study was proposed to identify the essential active ingredients in each country.

 

It was also agreed to implement authorisations of plant protection products by geographical zones rather than by Member State. This would facilitate the availability of such products over a wider area. Thus, once a product is approved in Spain, for example, it would automatically be authorised in all countries in the southern zone. According to regulation 1107/2009, which regulates the marketing of plant protection products, Europe is divided into three zones: Zone A for the north, including countries such as Sweden, Finland and Denmark; Zone B for the centre, covering Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, among others; and Zone C, which includes southern European countries such as France, Spain, Italy and Greece.

A normal, high quality season is being anticipated, subject to weather conditions in the coming months.

 

In terms of production, Spain is anticipating a crop of 300,000 tonnes of grapes, led by the Region of Murcia with 230,000 tonnes already on the market. Portugal and Italy will follow in production, and France will start in August.

 

It should be noted that in 2023, Spanish table grape exports reached 132,664 tonnes, valued at 329 million euros.

 

The group, which was formed in response to the increase in seedless grape production in Spain and Italy, will hold its next meeting in Portugal.