World table grape production increasing

World production of fresh table grapes in selected countries is up 4 percent for 2005 at 12.6 million tons according to the Department of Agriculture. 2006 production forecast is for an additional increase of about 5 percent at levels around 13.3 million tons. Southern hemisphere production this year is expected to increase 1 percent while the northern hemisphere countries are also expected to be up, posting a 5-percent increase. China continues to be the big factor in the ever increasing world production total (up 490,000 tons). Italy is also expected to contribute more grapes to the world total, with an increase in production expected to be nearly 140,000 additional tons.